Mangkaja Arts - 'We came from the desert' Exhibition

This was another exhibition at Tandanya which displayed a large collection of paintings and artefacts from Mangkaja Arts, Fitzroy Crossing in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia. All the bright colours used in the art works initially surprised me. I had expected lots of traditional ‘dot paintings’. These works were very interesting as they showed a variety of different styles and a combination of representational and more abstract approaches. All of these works seemed to surround the meaning of the rain season and are about spring when the grass, plants and trees grow.

Graham Lands, Biriwiri, 2011, 120x120cm, Canvas

This painting by Lands was my favourite of this exhibition. Initially when I saw this work I thought it was about the rain and the wet season. However when I read the description I found it was actually about the ‘gum that grows on the bendy trees in the creeks and river beds.’ The artist also described the gum as ‘clear, sweet and sticky’. After taking in these words, I looked at the painting again and found that I could get that feeling of sticky and sweet as the golden yellow of the drops reminded me of honey. Overall I like how this particular piece evoked a strong connection to the land through its meaning and earthy colours.