Alcaston Gallery is thrilled to present this exhibition of new paintings by Iwantja Arts senior artists Alec Baker and Peter Mungkuri (‘Tjilpi’) and Betty Muffler and Nellie Coulthard (‘Pampa’).

Every mark is imbued with their personal lived experience and their deep connection to country and culture. Each artist’s distinct visual language reflects an unmistakably powerful presence of spirit and collectively their work speaks volumes about the interconnectedness of art, integrity, people and place.

These senior artists paint from their memories and their hearts, a connectedness to country. 

The rich and vibrant spirit of Central Australia comes to life with these new ceramic vessels by THE HERMANNSBURG POTTERS.

Hermannsburg is based at the remote foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges, 130 kilometres west of Alice Springs. The Hermannsburg Potters use their surrounding environment but also life lived and remembered as inspiration for their art. Animals and birds, both native and imagined, are thoughtfully depicted in their hand-crafted and underglaze ceramics, coupled with the innate humour and creativity of the artist.

This exhibition embraces new large shapes, styles, stories and Ntaria (Hermannsburg) history. The emerging artists under the guidance of the founding artists have excelled in mastering the process of the underglaze technique and working in clay. The dry river beds of the Finke River, Palm Valley and the tracks to far-away places where the Arrernte people have lived and worked over the generations allows us to view the family life of the artist in extensive detail.

Alcaston Gallery has represented the Hermannsburg Potters since their inception in 1990 and now regarded as master ceramicists, have been exhibited widely through Australia and internationally. Their major installation commission in 2015-16 for the National Gallery of Victoria, Our Land is Alive at NGV Australia set new benchmarks for their engaging and lyrical pots.  

Alcaston Gallery would like to thank Gabrielle Wallington, Manager, Hermannsburg Potters and all the artists for their constant support of our exhibitions especially in our 30th year.