LAST DAY Ancestral Power and the Aesthetic

Ancestral Power and the Aesthetic: Arnhem Land paintings and objects from Donald Thomson Collection

This remarkable exhibition puts on show for the first time the bark paintings collected by Donald Thomson in the 1930s and early 1940 - some of the oldest and rarest examples of these works in existence.

The Donald Thomson Collection features works by legendary Yolngu figure Djapu clan leader Wonggu and the exhibition includes the first bark painting Donald Thomson collected and the brushes and palette that Wonggu used to produce it.

The works on display are powerful examples of a rich Yolngu artistic heritage with their extraordinary combinations of bold designs, patterns, and colour; and extremely rare items like the painting that depicts an image of one of the Djan'kawu Sisters ancestors in human form.

Ancestral Power and the Aesthetic: Arnhem Land paintings and objects from the Donald Thomson Collection is a Museum Victoria touring exhibition, indemnified by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and supported by Visions of Australia, an Australian Government program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of Australian cultural material across Australia.

Events

Opening Night

Date: Friday 5 October

Time: 6pm

Venue: Albury Art Gallery

Conversation with the Curator

Date: Saturday 6 October

Time: 10:30am

Venue: Albury Art Gallery

Teacher Resources

Listen to Lindy Allen discuss the collection

Image Details:

Thumbnail: Mundukul Marawili, Mundukul (Snake) story and Yirwarra (Fish Trap) 1942

The Donald Thomson Collection.  On loan from the University of Melbourne and Museum Victoria Photographer Rodney Start