previous Exhibitions
KUNMANARA MUNGKURI OAM (1946 - 2021)
Alcaston Gallery is honoured to present a very special collection of paintings by the late Kunmanara Mungkuri OAM (1946 - 2021), created in the final year of the artist’s life. This exclusive online exhibition, presented in conjunction with the artist's family and Iwantja Arts, respectfully pays tribute to Mr Mungkuri; a celebrated contemporary Australian artist, highly respected Tilpi, important Yankunytjatjara elder and cultural leader.
Born in 1946 near Kaltjiti (Fregon) in South Australia, Mr Mungkuri forged a career as a highly-skilled horseman and travelled extensively across remote Australia working as a stockman. Over the course of his life, Mr Mungkuri became renowned as a revered cultural lawman and community leader in Indulkana who shared his immense understanding of culture, history, and Country through his art and his mentorship to others. In 2020 Mr Mungkuri was formally recognised for his commitment and service to both the Indulkana community and to Australian Visual Arts generally, with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Mr Mungkuri's paintings are evocative depictions of the landscape, flora and cultural imagery of his Country and the lands he travelled as a stockman. His work preserves and passes on an understanding and respect for the environment and stories of his traditional lands; knowledge and stories that were passed on from his ancestors before him.
'I have and hold the old people’s Tjukurpa (Ancestral Stories). The old people’s important stories of long ago. I have the old important stories. I would listen and listen to my grandfathers and fathers, and uncles. I would listen.
Now with a lot of my paintings, I have painted trees. That’s our culture – the trees are our culture. Our fathers would use these trees to make spear throwers, kiti (resin-glue), nulla-nulla (hunting stick) from Mulga trees. pear throwers were used for hunting. Our ancestors - those who have passed - were using our trees. This is all our culture.'
Following his passing in December 2021, Mr Mungkuri leaves an immense artistic and cultural legacy; one that honours his dedication to culture, Country and the community of Indulkana.
By request of Mr Mungkuri's family and community, in honour of his enduring legacy and in support of his family, we respectfully present this online exhibition of Mr Mungkuri's paintings.
© The Artist, Iwantja Arts and Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne 2022
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 ...
All About Art - Annual Collectors Exhibition: Counterpoint•Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori (c.1924 -2015)
Alcaston Gallery is honoured to present two solo exhibitions in conjunction with the Estates of Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori (c.1924 - 2015) and Ginger Riley Munduwalawala (c.1936 – 2002).
Alcaston Gallery’s annual All About Art collectors’ exhibition will include significant paintings within the theme of our 2024 exhibition series Counterpoint. As Ginger Riley would often say, “the same but different”. Gabori and Riley are both remembered as two of Australia’s most influential ...
