Give an ethically sourced, beautifully handmade gift this Christmas, as Artitja Fine Art Gallery brings the beloved THE GIFT COLLECTION exhibition back for another year.
Gifting can be tedious, and more and more people are looking for that something special. That is why in 2009, Artitja Fine Art Gallery, which works primarily with remote community Aboriginal-owned art centres had the idea of establishing what has now become a popular annual event: _THE GIFT COLLECTION | Art + Objects_ exhibition.
“Back then there was very little product with Aboriginal design that was sending royalties back to artists. It was of concern because a lot of gift lines with the designs on them were being made overseas without any acknowledgment of the artist, and that is because the artists themselves weren’t involved in the process, so we started this exhibition bringing in licensed product lines, made through ethical means” explains gallery Director Anna Kanaris.
Raymond Walters Penangke - Bush Medicine
Colleen Wallace Nungarrayi - Dreamtime Sisters
Fast forward to the successful ‘Fake Art Harms Culture’ campaign, now most product found on the shelves is returning royalties to the artists, and that is what is behind this exhibition. “Some of the product may still be made overseas, but now the artists are receiving royalties for their work” says Anna.
That the inspiration for this type of exhibition has had such a long-lasting life, is a testament to the response of the public that sees the philosophy and value behind the idea. Normally the gallery exhibits higher-end paintings, sculptures and ceramics, but in December, that all changes.
This year THE GIFT COLLECTION exhibition will once again be held in the new Terrace Greenhouse Gallery space in South Fremantle, which sits behind a quality gift and plant shop. The space will transform into a magical, colourful emporium featuring a wide range of unique and affordable gift lines, and the walls will be adorned with paintings from multiple art centres throughout remote Australia.
The exhibition opening will run from 1‐4pm on Saturday, December 9, and you can shop to the dulcet tones of music duo Gillian Catlow and Charles Hoernemann from FOUR ON SIX. All are welcome to attend.
THE GIFT COLLECTION | Art + Objects is free to the public
Exhibiting at TERRACE GREENHOUSE GALLERY – 223 South Terrace, South Fremantle
9 – 31 December 2022 – open daily 10am – 4pm