The Art Gang

Art Historian University of Queensland Dr Sally Butler

Contemporary Aboriginal art from Australia's tropical north-east
community of Lockhart River is something new and unique to
Australian Indigenous art. It provides an intense visual insight into
one of the world's most spectacular coastal wilderness areas, rich
with diverse flora and fauna. But their art is not just about the place
of what they call 'Sandbeach Country'; it is also about the people
who belong there and how an Aboriginal way of life takes shape in
remote communities in the 21st century. The artists' particular
approaches to colour and figural description teach us about the
conditions of life in this beautiful remote location, and how a
community of people know and love this place.

Many aspects of Lockhart River art differ to Aboriginal art
produced in remote communities elsewhere in Australia. Lockhart
River is the only youth-driven art movement from remote
communities. Instead of developing out of the cultural tradition of
elders handing down inherited designs and symbols, Lockhart River
contemporary art emerged as a result of an innovative education
program seeking vocational opportunities for the community's
youth. Art provides significant employment potential for remote
Aboriginal communities and the education program sought to
equip students with professional skills in techniques such as
printmaking, sculpture and acrylic canvas painting. What grew out
of this education initiative was a group of artists with a distinctly
youthful perspective of Aboriginal life and a keen understanding of
their 21st century worldly context.

Youthful exuberance in this art is one of its hallmarks, but is rarely
over-stated. The art's qualities of high impact colour and strong
figurative expression are quite diverse, but are always anchored by
their common concern to create art about what sustains life in the
Lockhart River community. In this respect, their art is entirely
traditional because this has always been the function of art in
Aboriginal societies. Elders in the Lockhart River community
originally did not participate in this new art movement beyond
assisting with cultural knowledge and thematic advice. They
preferred to continue their practices of weaving, carving and
bead-making. However, many of these elders have now taken
inspiration from the success of younger artists and have commenced
contemporary art practices themselves. Examples of this new
development are included in this exhibition.

All aspects of community life from the past and present are featured
in the Lockhart River art. Rosella Namok's paintings depict
monsoonal downpours that define the wet season, and abstract
linear series of paintings that pertain to women elders and their
habit of 'yarning' (telling stories) whilst sitting and drawing in the
sand with their fingers. The elders' paintings are adding to this
repertoire of themes. The combination of different generations in
contemporary Aboriginal art from Lockhart River has effectively
strengthened it and broadens its already widespread appeal.