Insight into the Pottery of Hermannsburg

Caloundra Regional Gallery welcomes INSIGHT, a vibrant exhibition of ceramic art, from 17 April to 26 May 2013.

The exhibition is produced by a group of unique and talented artists, celebrating the diversity of art practice taking place in contemporary Indigenous communities.

The Aranda people from Hermannsburg, a former Lutheran mission about 130km west of Alice Springs, are generally known for their Namatjira-style watercolours.

Since 1980, the Hermannsburg Potters have been producing a vibrant and highly original form of ceramic art that draws on many influences yet strongly reflects the distinctive visual culture of the region. The potters embrace yet reinterpret all these influences and traditions in their own painted ceramics.

The pots are made by the coil method with hand-moulded figures of animals or bush tucker or historical themes on the lids. The artists paint their country as seamless landscapes around the full-bellied forms of the container pots, each of which is guarded by a desert animal or another creature.

The collection features works by Irene Mbitjana Entata, Carol Panangka Rontji, Judith Pungkarta Inkamala, Clara Ngala Inkamala, Ester Ngala Kennedy, Lindy Panangka Rontji, Rona Panangka Rubuntja, Dawn Ngala Wheeler and Rahel Kngwarria Ungwanaka.

INSIGHT is accompanied by a publication by Simon Turner, rich in images and stories of the pots and their creators.

All are welcome to attend the official opening of INSIGHT on Friday 19 April at 6pm and the following free exhibition event:

A Perfect Blend, Coffee and Art: Thursday 2 May, 10.30am

Join Collector Simon Turner as he discusses the collection in detail and its significance to the Moreton Bay Region.

INSIGHT is a travelling exhibition developed by Moreton Bay Regional Council and Simon Turner, toured by Museum and Gallery Services Queensland. The exhibition will tour Australia until the end of 2013.

RSVP to events by visiting council’s gallery website or by calling the gallery on 5420 8299.

The Caloundra Regional Gallery is free to the public and open, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.