THE work of some of Australia’s leading Aboriginal artists is to go on display in the North East this month (June) as part of a new exhibition.
From 16 June to 31 August, Bede’s World, Jarrow, will exhibit prints created by four different artists, each themed around the indigenous Aboriginal concept of ‘Country,’ as part of the Treasures of South Tyneside 2015 programme.
And, alongside their work, which is on loan from the British Museum, will be art on the same theme produced by North East artists.
The Australian prints are the work of Aboriginal artists Judy Watson, Butcher Cherel, Victor Motlop, and Dorothy Napangardi and depict their interpretations of the links between the land, sea, people and places linked to their culture and traditions.
In Aboriginal culture, art is often used as a medium through which to pass on tradition and tell stories through the generations and, as part of the exhibition, local artists and crafts people have been invited to use the work as inspiration to produce their own pieces.
Among those who have taken part and whose work will form part of the exhibition, is North Shields-based ceramic and textiles artist Ellie Tarratt. She has worked with North Tyneside Art Studio, whose users have created a series of paintings for the project.
Ellie, whose work is normally inspired by medieval Britain, has combined traditional clay and glazing techniques with Aboriginal styling to create a flock of ceramic sea birds, which will be displayed alongside the Australian artworks.
“I’ve found this project fascinating as I lived in Australia for several years and have a real interest in Aboriginal art,” said Ellie.
“To make my piece relevant to the theme of Country, I decided to depict birds – such as eider ducks, cormorants, gannets and oystercatchers – that are common to the coast, where I live.
“By using traditional British ceramic processes and then copying the Aboriginal styling patterns, of cross hatching and linear strokes, I have managed to link the style of the two, very differing, cultures.”
Treasures of South Tyneside 2015 is an annual programme of displays, exhibitions and events, organised by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Bede’s World, Jarrow and South Tyneside Council.
Normal museum admission applies to the Contemporary Prints from Indigenous Australia exhibition at Bede’s World, which runs from 16 June to 31 August, and further information can be found at www.bedesworld.co.uk.
For details of The Treasures of South Tyneside 2015 programme, which runs at venues throughout the borough until September, visit www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk.