**Artitja Fine Art Gallery** is proud to present their newest exhibition _CROSSING COUNTRY:_ opening at Earlywork in South Fremantle on June 10. This exhibition is a coming together of diverse mediums and styles from central desert art centres spanning many kilometres, criss-crossing the country.
A visit to the Hermannsburg Potters in Albert Namatjira country, Hermannsburg, (130km west of Alice Springs) last year saw the gallery establish a connection with the artists through the art centre, and an agreement for a special selection of pots to be made for the exhibition. “The demand for the pots is high, particularly as these are collectible art pieces which are hand made using coiled clay, with landscape paintings on the outside. Their uniqueness lies in the pot lids, which are 3D sculptural depictions of the landscape story” explains Anna Kanaris, gallery director and Curator of the exhibition.
Included in the exhibition are the popular hand-stitched soft sculptures by the award-winning Yarrenyty Arltere artists from the Larapinta Valley Town Camp in Alice Springs. Using cotton and wool to shape their designs, the pieces on show include a self-portrait, birds, and even a pussy cat by multiple-award-winning artist Rhonda Sharp. All four of the artists’ works are included in public collections here and abroad. Heading out from Alice Springs and Hermannsburg in the Northern Territory, the journey continues to Yuendumu, Kalka, Tjukurla, Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and communities in the East Pilbara represented by the Martumili artists (based in Newman WA), whose artists Bugai Whyoulter, Nancy Nyanjlpayi Chapman and Marianne Burton contribute to the energetic display of over forty paintings.
“We are such a large country, and so much of the culture and storytelling lies in the landscape and communities from which this art is sourced” says Anna. “It is an honour and a privilege to be able to pull together such an extensive show of First Nations artists; and to bring it to the people of Perth, many of whom otherwise might not get a chance to visit these places”.
Since 2004, Artitja Fine Art Gallery’s focus has been on presenting art from remote community art centres, including the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem land. The gallery holds up to six exhibitions a year in an exhibiting space and at other times works by appointment. Artitja Fine Art Gallery is a member of the Indigenous Art Code and committed to ethical practice.
Header image art by Jennifer Forbes, Bugai Whyoulter and Renae Fox.
Art Exhibitions Aboriginal