previous Exhibitions
Hermannsburg Potters 2021 Artwa Urrknga Mpaaritjaarta - Men Making Claywork
Alcaston Gallery is thrilled to present new ceramic work by Western Aranda Men from The Hermannsburg Potters, including Voight Ratara, Exance Pareroultja Rex, Andrew Ebatarinja Kumara, Mr Inkamala and Colin Malbunka.
The Hermannsburg Potters are a collective of Western Aranda artists, renowned for their vibrant hand-crafted terracotta and underglaze pots that encapsulate Country, culture and contemporary life in Ntaria community (Hermannsburg), based at the remote foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges, 130 kilometres west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Artwa Urrknga Mpaaritjaarta - Men Making Claywork marks an important continuation of The Hermannsburg Potters 30-year legacy as the first exhibition of work created exclusively by Western Aranda men.
Since the establishment of The Hermannsburg Potters in 1990 the Potters have been principally represented by Western Aranda women, who are widely celebrated and recognised for their practice, with Lawrence Jakamarra Inkamala the sole male potter working at the collective until this year. Men such as Inkamala have practised clay work since the first wave of Western Aranda artists in the 1970s, whose techniques went on to influence the characteristic style of the current generation of Hermannsburg Potters, both men and women. In turn, their work has inspired emerging artists Voight Ratara, Exance Pareroultja Rex, Andrew Ebatarinja Kumaraand Colin Malbunka to establish their own claywork practice and develop their personal style for this collection of new works.
"This ground-breaking Hermannsburg Potter’s men’s exhibition, 'Artwa Urrknga Mpaaritjaarta - Men Making Claywork' signifies an important moment in the more than thirty-year relationship between Alcaston Gallery and The Hermannsburg Potters. The Potters’ history parallels with that of Alcaston Gallery, as I opened the gallery only a year before the Potters established in 1990, and we have supported and represented the Potters ever since, nurturing new and innovative ways for them to express their creativity and culture through their trailblazing ceramic practice.
Over the past three decades I have witnessed the artistic progression, expansion, and steady rise of this extraordinary group of artists. This current exhibition marks the formal re-introduction of Western Aranda men to the collective, celebrating an important legacy from the families and extended families of Potters; a continuation and progression of the enduring legacy of The Hermannsburg Potters." - Beverly Knight, Alcaston Gallery Director, November 2021
Artwa Urrknga Mpaaritjaarta - Men Making Claywork was produced as part of the Hermannsburg Potters Men’s Development Program, an important project launched in 2021 with the aim to maintain cultural heritage for the Western Aranda people with a particular focus on the Western Aranda men. The project, assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities Program; and, project facilitator Nelson Armstrong.
© Hermannsburg Potters and Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne 2021
DJAKANGU YUNUPINGU • Djulpan - Heavenly Women
Alcaston Gallery is honoured to present new paintings on bark, timber board and larrkitj poles by Yolngu artist Djakangu Yunupingu in her second solo exhibition Djulpan - Heavenly Women at the Alcaston Gallery Exhibition Space – 84 William Street Melbourne from 5 April – 3 May 2024.
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ALCASTON GALLERY - A CONTINUING CELEBRATION OF WOMEN
In 2024, Alcaston Gallery is once again proud to celebrate and advocate for International Women's Day.
This year's theme is Inspire Inclusion; to inspire a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment; to build a more inclusive world for all women; to invest in women and accelerate progress!
Alcaston Gallery has invested significantly in First Nations women artists - with rewards for the artists, financially and culturally, having a significant rippling effect for their families and ...
Rene Sundown •Ngura Tali - Sand Dune Country
Alcaston Gallery is thrilled to introduce respected senior Yankunytjatjara artist, Rene Sundown, in her debut exhibition with the gallery, Ngura Tali - Sand Dune Country.
Sundown is a senior artist and longstanding director of the Iwantja Art Centre in Indulkana, South Australia, whose practice is dedicated to passing on knowledge to future generations. Having exhibited in important national and international group exhibitions over the past decade, this will be Sundown’s ...
Alcaston Gallery Christmas Gifts Exhibition 2023•Limited edition PRINTS and WORKS ON PAPER
Alcaston Gallery Christmas Gifts Exhibition 2023 presents exceptional works on paper and limited edition prints from over thirty-five years of contemporary Australian First Nations art showcasing a selection of rare and special release works by important artists on exhibition at the Alcaston Gallery Exhibition Space, 84 William Street, Melbourne/Naarm from 29 November until 15 December 2023.
CLAY•Ben McKeown•Karen Mills•Dean Smith
Clay comes from the earth; in its many forms, textures and colours, clay harnesses our world’s enigmatic power, energy, and secret life force.
With its affinity to earth and water, clay is an accumulated matrix of plant, animal, and mineral; wet or dry, white or coloured, this natural material has been used since ancient times in the form of ochre in sacred ceremonies and for medicinal purposes, as well as a strong, pliable matter for utilitarian functions such as building, cooking and creating practical ...
