Australian art demonstrates strength of aboriginal culture

12:04pm Thursday 1st June 2006

INDIGENOUS Australian art is currently being exhibited at Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, as part of Salisbury International Arts Festival's aboriginal showcase.

This is the first time that the Kurrir Kurrir dance boards of the East Kimberley have been exhibited in this country, and the exhibition has been curated by Dr John Stanton, director of the Berndt Museum of Anthropology, Perth.

Kurrir Kurrir is an aboriginal dance cycle, created by one of Australia's most significant artists, Rover Thomas. Each painting made first on cardboard and subsequently on composite board, refers to elements of a song evolving into a dance ceremony, and the paintings were carried by members of the Warmun community raised above their heads.

"The works have amazing significance," explains Dr Stanton, "and although the artist is no longer alive, they demonstrate the strength of the aboriginal culture. They are a modern exposition of an ancient rite, the telling of stories by the indigenous population. You have almost the spirit of the people in these paintings."

Visitors can watch a 20-minute DVD showing aboriginal artists at work, complementing the exhibition.

Peter Saunders, curator at the museum, is thrilled to be hosting this exhibition. "This is the first important international exhibition we have held since we created this gallery it is very exciting," he said.

The Dreaming the Dreaming exhibition runs until Saturday, June 10 and Dr Stanton will be giving a talk about this exhibition in the lecture theatre at Salisbury museum on that day. Although this is free, please call 01722 332977 to register a place.