Punu and Paintings!: Kaltukatjara-languru - Clive Scollay and Sandy Willie Open Tunbridge Gallery Exhibition in Margaret River

Welcome

Palya - Welcome to the blog of Maruku Arts and Crafts. Maruku is the trading arm of the Anangu Uwankaraku Punu Aboriginal Corporation set up in 1984, which literally means wood belonging to Anangu.

Eighteen communities spread over an area similar in size to Victoria now own and are serviced by Maruku Arts. These include Amata, Indulkana, Fregon, Ernabella, Mimili, Docker River, Pipalyatjara, Kalka, Wingellina, Blackstone, Jameson, Warburton, Warakuna, Tjukurla, Kanpi, Nyapari, Finke, Mutitjulu and many smaller homeland centres. The Maruku bush truck visits each community on a regular basis, craftspeople are paid for their work and can buy tools from the truck. The visits also give Maruku employees the opportunity to talk to the crafts people about the operations of Maruku and any new ideas that the craftspeople might have.

There are approximately 800 craftspeople who contribute work to Maruku Arts on a regular basis, this artists co-operative is thought to be the largest of its kind in Australia.

We invite you to look around, ask questions, and be inspired by one of the oldest forms of craftwork in Australia.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Kaltukatjara-languru - Clive Scollay and Sandy Willie Open Tunbridge Gallery Exhibition in Margaret River

An exhibition of works by Sandy Willie and his wife, Patricia Ukula opened on February 27.

Opened by Maruku General Manager, Clive Scollay and Docker River artist, Sandy Willie.

When Sandy wondered into Tunbridge Gallery, his breath was taken away. What he saw was an exquisite display of his and Patricia's work. I wasn't there, but I can only imagine that he was overcome with pride.

The exhibition was well attended and paintings have been selling.

Not all work, there was some play. Sandy was taken to the mouth of Margaret River where he watched young men "walking on water" as the sunset.

"Hey, how does them mob do that?" He asked one of the young fellas awestruck.

Surfers walked out of the water carrying board.

"Aaah" The penny had dropped!

Sandy and Patricia's exhibition continues until March 19

Photo by Clive Scollay. Sandy Willie @ Tunbridge Gallery