Summary
Tjala Arts, formerly known as Minymaku Arts, is an Aboriginal Australian-owned and -managed arts centre located in the remote community of Amata in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in the remote north-west of South Australia.[1]
History edit
Tjala Arts was started by women from Amata in 1997 and was originally called Minymaku Arts (meaning "Women's Arts"), until it was renamed in 2006 to better reflect the increasing involvement of men in the operation of the centre. Tjala is the Pitjantjatjara word for honey ant, which is both a traditional bush food and one of the creation stories for the Amata area.[2]
Description edit
Tjala Arts supports and showcases the work of local artists, including work from the homelands surrounding Amata, in the Musgrave Ranges.[3]
Tjala Arts prioritises cultural strength and ownership. The collective believes the power in the art is "not for sale" and not for interpretation without their permission. This ownership is important to maintaining and building cultural strength and generating job and income.[4] As senior artist Frank Young said: "Nganampa Art Nganana walytjanguku Business palyanu. Munula Tjukurpa kunpu kanyini - Our Art. Our Business. Keeps our culture strong".[5]
Tjala artists use a variety of mediums, including acrylic paint on linen, punu (wood), tjanpi (fibre weaving; often in conjunction with Tjanpi Desert Weavers) and new media arts including photography, film and sound work.[5] Tjala artists are known for their energetic work and rich colourful palette and, in their work, artists explore their Tjukurpa (Dreaming).[2][6]
Tjala Arts is part of the APY Art Centre Collective.[7]
Tjala artists have been acquired by many high-profile collectors and prestigious Australian cultural institutions including; The National Gallery of Australia, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, The National Gallery of Victoria and Art Gallery of South Australia.[8]
Artists edit
Artists represented by, or previously represented by Tjala Arts include:[6][9][10]
- Freda Brady
- Hector Burton
- Nyurpaya Kaika Burton OAM[11][12]
- Wawiriya Burton
- Rhonda Dick
- Ray Ken
- Sandra Ken
- Sylvia Ken
- Tjungkara Ken
- Barbara Mbitjana Moore
- Tiger Palpatja
- Maringka Tunkin
- Ruby Tjangawa Williamson
- Anwar Young
- Frank Young
- Yaritji Young
References edit
- ^ Flyer, "Warka nganampa munuru: Our work is many and varied", Ruby Tjangawa Williamson: Art & Artist Files, held in the National Gallery of Australia Research and Archive Collection
- ^ a b "Tjala Arts". HARVEY ART PROJECTS. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Tjala Arts". Aboriginal Art Outstation. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Nganampa Kampatjangka unngu / Beneath the Canvas: The Lives and Stories of the Tjala Artists". Artlink Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Our Art Centre". Tjala Arts. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Tjala Arts – DAAF 2022". 2022.daaf.com.au. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Our Art Centres". APY ART CENTRE COLLECTIVE. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Tjala Arts". Art Collector Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Our Artists". Tjala Arts. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Tjala Arts - ARTKELCH - Contemporary Aboriginal Art". www.artkelch.de. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Morse, Dana; Lysaght, Gary-Jon (7 June 2020). "South Australian 2020 Queen's Birthday honours recipients announced". ABC. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ "Tjala Arts - Congratulations to Mrs Nyurpaya Kaika Burton who has been honoured with the Order of Australia award!". Facebook. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
Further reading edit
- Tjala Arts, ed. (2015). Nganampa Kampatjangka unngu / Beneath the Canvas: The Lives and Stories of the Tjala Artists. Wakefield Press. ISBN 9781743053492.
External links edit
- Official website