QG&W are honored to have signed an official agreement with the Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association (JACA) making the gallery an official representative of the Tiwi artists.
Established in 1989 JACA is owned and governed by Tiwi artists from Milikapiti community on Melville Island. Jilamara artists are nationally and internationally renowned for their unique, traditional Tiwi style. They produce contemporary works based on ceremonial body painting designs, clan totems and Tiwi creation stories.
Artwork by Jilamara artists are held in major collections around the world including National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of NSW, Queensland Art Gallery, Art Gallery of South Australia, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Commonwealth Institute (UK), Gantner Myer Collection (Aus), Wesfarmers Collection (Aus), Gordon & Marilyn Darling Collection (Aus), Levi-Kaplan Collection (USA), The British Museum (UK), Utrecht Aboriginal Art Museum (NL), Musée du quai Branly (Fr) and The Israel Museum (Il).
Artists' consigned are; Barbara Puruntatameri, Chris Black, Colleen Freddy, Conrad Tipungwuti Kamilowra, Dino Wilson, Dymphna Kerinaiua, Geraldine Pilakui, Gerry Mungatopi, Glen Farmer Illortaminni Tjipomurrayl, Janice Murray Pungautiji, Jason Palipuaminni Stormy, Jimmy Mungatopi, Johnathon Bush, Kaye Brown, Kenny Brown, Mary Magdalene Tipungwuti, Michelle Woody, Nicholas Mario, Pamela Brooks, Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri Jarman, Pauletta Kerinaiua (JNR), Pedro Wonaeamirri, Pius Tipungwuti, Rachel Puruntatameri Merican, Raelene Kerinauia Lampuwatu, Timothy Cook and Tina Patlas.
The artists use the mediums of sugar-lift aquatint, etching, lithography, screenprint, and ochres on paper. Some ironwood birds will also be arriving in the coming months.
QG&W directors first heard of the Jilamara community through Australian Print Workshop's (APW) master printer, Martin King. During the morning's local cafe conversation, Martin mentioned he had assisted the Tiwi artists acquire a printing press and had conducted the first printmaking workshop at the Art Centre.
APW have not only been a huge inspiration to QG&W but a place where strong friendships were formed. These connections continue to weave their way between us and help enhance the representation for Australian printmaking.
We extend a huge thank you to Jackie Hocking, JACA Manager (previously APW) for helping form this agreement which in turn now helps QG&W fulfil their goal of exhibiting the works of Australian printmakers.
In the lead up to the first Tiwi exhibition, QG&W instigated a fundraiser to enable Pauletta Kerinaua, Pedro Wonaeamirri and Timothy Cook to attend their exhibition and to enjoy an official celebration in Queenscliff. Donations to the Tiwi artists' GoFundMe campaign amounted to a total of $3,660 which also permitted both JACA coordinators Hannah Raisin and Will Heathcote (with their daughter Matilda) to also attend the official exhibition held on Sat Apr 27, 3pm.
Aside from meeting patrons and locals in Queenscliff, the artists and JACA coordinators also made time to visit the local Queenscliff Primary School to demonstrate traditional ochre painting and speak about Tiwi language with the students.
We thank all the donors who contributed to campaign making this very special visit possible.
