24 September - 28 November 2004

Bedford Downs massacre 1987
earth pigments and natural binders on cotton duck 90.0 x 180.2 cm
The Holmes à Court Collection, Perth

Education Kit: click here

A Kukatja / Wangkatjunga man, Rover Thomas (1926– 1998), was the most remarkable artist to emerge from the Warmun community at Turkey Creek, in the Kimberley Region in North-Western Australia. ROVER THOMAS: I want to paint comprises a selection of his paintings, mainly from The Holmes à Court Collection, supplemented by works from five Australian public institutions, including six works from the Art Gallery of South Australia.

This exhibition highlights a prolific period for the artist (1984–1991), and each of the twenty-five paintings depicts significant sites found throughout the artist’s own country. His status as one of the pre-eminent Aboriginal artists to emerge in the late 1980s and early 1990s is attributable in part to his extraordinary ability to communicate his direct experience of the land.

Exhibition manager – The Holmes à Court Collection.
Works lent by NGA; AGNSW; NGV; AGSA; AGWA; Mary Màcha; The Holmes à Court Collection, Heytesbury Pty Ltd

Tours & Talks

GUIDED TOURS

Wednesdays at 1 pm   |   Saturday & Sunday at 3 pm
Tours are free with exhibition entry

FLOOR TALKS

Tuesday 28 September at 12.45 pm
Tracey Lock Weir, Curator of Australian Art speaks about selected works in the exhibition Rover Thomas: I want to paint. Gallery 22

Tuesday 19 October at 12.45 pm
Cherie Prosser, Assistant Curator of Australian Art speaks about The shade from the hills comes over and talks in language, 1984 in the exhibition. Gallery 22

Please note: exhibition entry fees apply for all talks

After Dark Viewing - Rover Thomas: I want to paint
Thursday 21 October at 6.15 pm

Rover Thomas (c.1926-1998) came to painting late, in the 1980s, but his reputation grew rapidly and his success provided strong impetus for artists in the East Kimberley region. He represented Australia at the 1991 Venice Biennale and won significant Australian awards for his work. The Friends are fortunate to have Franchesca Cubillo, the Artistic and Cultural Director of Tandanya, as our guide through this exhibition. Franchesca has worked extensively in the area of Indigenous Cultural Heritage for many years and with Dr Brian Kennedy was the Judge for the 20^th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2003.
Tickets: $30; Members $25
Bookings: call Yvonne on 8207 7050

Sunday 26 September 12 noon - 3 pm
Theme: Patterned Places
Make and decorate a placemat for your place at your table at home. Free family drop in day with art and craft activities at the Art Gallery on the 4th Sunday of each month.
For more information, please call: 8207 7005

Holiday Art & Craft Program

Tuesday 5 October – Friday 8 October
Theme: Pets and Patterns
During the school holidays, create your own ideal pet using a variety of painting and pattern techniques.
Suitable for ages 5 – 10 years. One hour sessions daily at 10.30am, 12 noon and 1.30pm.
$5 per child / pay on arrival.
Parents required in attendance. Bookings are essential. telephone: 8207 7005

Proudly sponsored by ETSA Utilities

Art mirrors society. Leisured life-style and working-class desires in an age of social and technological change.

Teacher Briefing
Wednesday 20 October 4.30 - 6 pm. Bookings required: Telephone 8207 7033

Education Notes
Available on-line as a pdf document click here

Admission (school groups)
$20 per class size group. Free admission: country schools, DECS category 1-4 & AISSA listed disadvantaged schools. Please advise of time of visit by telephone: 8207 7033

An illustrated 83 page catalogue with full colour images is available from the Gallery Bookshop. Price $39.95.

To see what other events and activities are on at the Gallery
click here to go to the Calendar of Events

International Art Services