Paul Johnstone Gallery
Imelda & Miriam: Return to Country
Featuring Imelda Gugaman and Miriam Baadjo
21 June – 13 July 2024
Born in 1954 Imelda Yukenbarri Gugaman stands as a testament to the profound resilience, cultural richness, and artistic brilliance of the Balgo Art movement. Since 2021 Warlayirti Artists has reconnected Imelda, along with her stepfather Helicopter & other families, to their Country. Through the Ngurra Kutjuwarra (On Country, Together) program the art centre has embarked on epic voyages to Nyinmi Outstation (west of Kiwirrkurra), taken to the sky by helicopter to return to Winpurpurla and other significant sites not accessible by road. Imelda emerged as a leader of the next generation Balgo artists, she continues to be a stalwart of the art centre, creating significant works of art resonating with a deep connection to her Ancestral lands and cultural stories.
Following in the footsteps of her Mother Biddee Baadjo (c 1935 – 2022) and sister Tossie Miriam Miriam Baadjo intricately weaves cultural narratives and contemporary experience into her vibrant artworks. With a distinct blend of traditional motifs and technical prowess her work invites you to engage with the rich tapestry of history, experience and Country, bridging the gap between the past and the present, traditional and contemporary.
EXHIBITING SOON
Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory
TELSTRA NATSIAA: 2024 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards
Featuring Helicopter (Joey) Tjungurrayi
Paul Johnstone Gallery
Patsy Mudegdell solo exhibition
Join Patsy Mudgedell for the opening of her solo exhibition at Paul Johnstone Gallery over the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair weekend.
More details to come!
past events
DESERT MOB
07 SEPT – 22 OCT
Desert Mob showcases the most comprehensive survey of contemporary Aboriginal art by artists from Desart-member art centers from the desert regions and communities of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. The exhibition will feature hundreds of artworks from emerging and established artists.
Warlayirti Artists include: Jane Gimme | Sadie Paddoon | Miriam Baadjo | Angie Tchooga | Stephanie Yukenbarri | Helicopter Tjungurrayi | Imelda Yukenbarri
MANY PAINTINGS, MANY DREAMINGS
OPENING – SAT 05 AUG
Aboriginal Contemporary, Sydney
Aboriginal Contemporary & Warlayirti Artists present an exhibition of new works from from senior and emerging Balgo artists.
HADLEY ART PRIZE
21 JULY – 22 AUG
Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Hobart
The Hadley’s Art Prize celebrates excellence in contemporary landscape art. We are over the moon Dulcie Nanala has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Prize. The work selected was created in response to our camp to Wilkinkarra (Lake McKay) last year: an infinite Salt Lake of supreme importance to Kukatja and Pintupi families.
DARWIN ART FAIR
11 Aug -13 Aug 2023
Darwin Convention Centre & Online
Darwin Art Fair offers a unique opportunity to purchase artwork direct from over 70 Indigenous-owned Art Centers, whilst being immersed in an exciting program of workshops, artists talks, film and fashion. An opportunity to meet the artists and see what art centers are up to!
ALL WOMEN PAINTING TOGETHER
Opening 23 June 2023
Paul Johnstone & Warlayirti Artists are proud to present a Kutjungka women’s survey show, featuring works from senior artists Imelda Yukenbarri Gugaman & Patsy Mudgedell, as well as emerging artists Stephanie Yukenbarri & Serena Nowee. This exhibition showcases the cultural and creative breadth of Balgo women, who stand on the shoulders of giants, and continue to paint to pass on stories & keep Country alive.
THE KIMBERLEY ART PRIZE
1-16 July 2023
Derby airport, terminal building
The Kimberley Art Prize has been facilitated by the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley (SDWK) since 1970. It is one of the longest running art prizes in Western Australia, providing a platform for local and regional artists to showcase their talents. Warlayirti Artists finalists for this year are Jimmy Tchooga, Reggie Gordon and Stephanie Yukenbarri.
ENVIRONS KIMBERLEY
ONLINE & LIVE ART AUCTION
24 June – Live Auction
Broome Convention Center
For 20 years, Environs Kimberley has been a leading fundraising event in the Kimberley, supporting artists and art centres, along with the important conservation work they are doing to care for the lands and waters of the Kimberley Region. Visit the online auction here or click the link above to purchase tickets to the live art auction happening on Saturday 24th June at the Broome Convention Center.
A DOCUMENTARY FILM BY ANKIT MISHRA
4 & 6 June 2023
In 1957, a helicopter pilot named Jim Ferguson landed at Natawalu. A family approached him, including a 10-year-old boy named Tjungurrayi, who needed medical assistance. He was flown to Balgo Mission. The young boy grew up to become an acclaimed artist whose works are displayed in New York and Paris, as well as a leader of Warlayirti Artists. This documentary film chronicles the reunion between the pilot’s daughter and Helicopter. It has won 4 awards for the Best Documentary, 9 official selections, and 2 finalist nominations.
THE JURY ART PRIZE
20 May – 29 July 2023
The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland
The Jury Prize is the people’s choice award – submit your vote through their online gallery!
An art award showcasing the best of regional and remote West Australian artists. We are proud to share works by Stephanie Yukenbarri, Helicopter Tjungurrayi and Veronica Daniels were selected finalists of this years’ main award.
REVEALED: NEW & EMERGING WA ARTISTS
06 May – 23 July 2023
The annual exhibition for new and emerging artists returns to celebrate the creativity, ambition, and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal Art practice here in Western Australia.
The annual Revealed program includes an Art Market, artist talks and demonstrations, workshops and a special opening weekend celebration.
ART IN THE PARK
Ord Valley Muster
21 May 4-8pm
Celebrity Tree Park, Kununurra
Curated exclusively under the stars for the Muster, Art in the Park is an open-air gallery shining a spotlight on Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists from the region. Meander through the park, wine in hand and discover arts, photography and culture of the East Kimberley.
DESERT COOL
17 March – 13 April 2023
The exhibition includes powerful new works from senior artists such as Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Jimmy Tchooga, Imelda Guguman and Pauline Sunfly. It also features rising talents of emerging stars, such as Stephanie Yukenbarri, and works inspired by time spent on country by Miriam Baadjo, Sadie Paddoon and Vincent Nanala.
2022
SINGING MY PARENTS’ COUNTRY: NEW PAINTINGS BY PAULINE SUNFLY
27 Sept – 05 Nov 2022
BALGO ON THE STOCK ROUTE:
RECENT WORKS
13-30 Oct 2022
Recent work from Warlayirti Artists, featuring stories from the Canning Stock Route.
TARNANTHI ART FESTIVAL
October 2022
Adelaide, South Australia
Tarnanthi is a unique opportunity to meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, learn about their world and ideas, and buy works of art. Exclusive to Adelaide, this popular art event brings together creative works in diverse mediums, produced by hundreds of established and emerging, regional and city-based artists from across the country.
BALGO: VISIONS | EUBENA
26 Aug – 07 Oct 2022
BALGO: VISIONS / EUBENA is an exhibition of foundational artworks celebrating the thirty-fifth anniversary of Warlayirti Artists, Balgo. Divided into two distinct collections, but intended to flow as a complementary representation of one of Australia’s leading artistic movements, this exhibition will feature across the two gallery spaces at D’Lan Contemporary, 40 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.
Desert Mob 2022
8 Sep–23 Oct 2022
Araluen Arts Centre, Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
Desert Mob, showcases the most comprehensive survey of contemporary Aboriginal art by artists from Desart-member art centres from the desert regions and communities of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. The exhibition will feature hundreds of new, innovative artworks from emerging and established artists who continue to transform and revolutionise arts and cultural expression.
DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR
5 – 7 August 2022
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) online, provides a unique opportunity to purchase artwork direct from over 70 Indigenous-owned Art Centres, whilst being immersed in an exciting digital program of workshops, artists talks, film and fashion.
JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY:
Paintings by the Mudgedell family
5 – 21 August 2022
Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin
This exhibition celebrates the stories, journeys and culture of the Mudgedell family. Sisters Marie and Patsy are highly influenced by their late mother Mati who experimented with new painting techniques to depict her Kukatja/Ngarti Country. Likewise, no two paintings by Patsy are the same; always evolving and experimenting. Marie’s granddaughter (Bianca) and Patsy and Marie’s niece (Hayley) are proudly included in this exhibition depicting their own approach to culture and country.
LUURNPA (Kingfisher Dreaming): New works from the artists of Balgo, WA
Opening 11 June 2022
Aboriginal Contemporary, Sydney
Works by Balgo legends, Helicopter and Christine Yunkenbarri sit alongside current senior artists, Imelda Gugaman, Patsy Mudgedell, Pauline Sunfly, as well as the younger emerging artists who will keep this richly-storied art centre at the forefront of contemporary Aboriginal art.
Luurnpa (pronounced loon-pa) is the kingfisher dreaming which connects all of the eight different language groups of the region. During the dreamtime the Luurnpa travelled the land creating all the waterways and rock holes along the Wirrimanu songline – the site of the current Balgo community. Luurnpa travelled from the north all the way through the desert to Uluru.
The Jury Prize
21 May – 29 July 2022
The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland
The art prize is open to regional Western Australian artists working in all artistic mediums, including painting, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and digital art.
Warlayirti Artists finalists; Veronica Daniels | Vincent Nanala | Frances Nowee | Geraldine Nowee | Shirley Yoomarie
Winners announced 21 May
People’s Choice (Jury Prize) winner announced 29 July, VOTE HERE!
Revealed 2022: new & emerging WA Aboriginal artists
07 May–24 July 2022 Exhibition
The Revealed Exhibition returns in 2022, celebrating the creativity, ambition, and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal Art practice here in Western Australia. Dedicated to showcasing new work and the best emerging WA Aboriginal Artists working across remote, regional and metropolitan areas.
This year Balgo artists include paintings on plywood from Serena Nowee | Shannon Gibson | Rickisha Nannup & Lydia Mudji | Gina Sunfly | Alexandria Loomoo | Judith Loomoo | Alicia Maggie | Latoya Moody | Genevieve James
Revealed Online Market runs 27 – 29 May 2022. Register for early access here.
Mother & Daughter: the works of Bai Bai Napangarti and Pauline Sunfly
29 April 2022
The last of Bai Bai’s paintings alongside recent works by Pauline, painting her mother’s Country.
Patsy Mudgedell: Lore of Love
17–20 Feb, 2022
Patsy describes this body of work as “Flowing sequences of continuous learning, sharing a love the human has yearned for, to have happiness together with the reality of real love”. Through her art, Patsy invites the viewer to go on a journey, to create their own meaning and experiences of her art. She hopes this practice will create a sense of our shared humanity. A virtual exhibition will be live from Feb 17 – March 3.
2021
Earth is Touch:
Recent Paintings from Balgo Hills
28 October – 31 December 2021
Cavin Morris Gallery, New York City
Warlayirti artists first show in New York City!
Balgo Beginnings
15 Oct 2021–06 Feb, 2022
South Australia Museum, Adelaide
After lying forgotten in a shipping container for four decades, the earliest works of Balgo desert paintings go on display for the first time, alongside works from current Balgo artists.
Pauline Sunfly Nangala: recent works
6-28 August 2021
Pauline Sunfly paints her parents’ Country, her ancestral places south of her home at Balgo (Wirrimanu), which borders both the Tanami Desert and the Great Sandy Desert in northern Western Australia. Her striking paintings depict ancestral paths, ceremonial designs and the stories of important Tjukurrpa sites associated with the native cat, goanna and kingfisher. They are reimaginings of deep cultural knowledge painted with a unique contemporary expression.
Awakening: Patsy Mudgedell
6-28 August 2021
‘Awakening’ by Patsy Mudgedell explores themes of identity, cultural acceptance, self-discovery and beauty. Patsy’s intoxicating works invite the viewer to make their own interpretations. Patsy says that art is a collaborative partnership between artist, viewer, Country, paint, canvas. Her purpose is sharing, believing that art transcends cultures.
Revealed 2021: new & emerging WA Aboriginal artists
26 March–23 May, 2021
This year Balgo artists include works on paper from Miriam Baadjo | Jane Gimme | Gracie Mosquito | Marie Mudgedell | Helen Nagomara | Joan (Eva) Nagomara | Winifred Nanala | Helicopter (Joey) Tjungurrayi
Kutjarra Nungurrayi, Murnta Nakamarra: two Nungurrayi, four Nakamarra
26 March–22 April, 2021
Short Street Gallery, Broome
A homage to the late Kimberley artists Nyumi Nungarrayi & Loomoo Nungarrayi displayed alongside the four Nakamarra’s: Veronica Daniels, Christine Yukenbarri, Patsy and Marie Mudgedell.
Ngurra kutjuwarra:
on country, together
12 March–5 April, 2021
View the works online and read more about the exhibition at the ngurra gallery page of our website!