Following the success of the inaugural 2003 Garma Panel and Print Project, Indigenous artists at the 2004 Garma Festival, were given the opportunity to participate in the 2004 Garma Panel and Print Project.
Whereas in 2003 artists created etchings, in the 2004 project, artists were invited to carve an individual woodblock that placed together, will create a large collaborative panel - a large work made up of individual carved woodblocks.
This year around 50 Indigenous artists were involved, with most of the artists being Yolngu from northeast Arnhem Land. Others came from western Arnhem Land, the Tiwi Islands, Fitzroy Crossing, Darwin and Sydney.
A strong tradition of wood carving exists in northeast Arnhem and on the Tiwi Islands, and many of these artists were able to apply their skill in a new way. For others, carving was a new art form. |
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The commissioned wood blocks were of MDF with Kauri pine ply on either side and artists were provided with a variety of tools and blades for carving.
Some artists took their blocks away to work on back at their Gulkula camp, returning with completed blocks ready for proofing. Others sat carving together within the bough shade of the Garma Panel Gallery, some deeply absorbed, others conversing quietly as they patiently and delicately eked out ancient totemic designs into the timber, carved out lines of country or created new images, inspired by Garma.
With the artists permission, a story of their artwork was collected and a studio quality photograph taken by an official Garma photographer as they worked.
Once completed, lithographers ink was rolled into the blocks, and thin Japanese paper carefully overlaid. Barens were used to apply pressure to the back of the paper to create a hand printed proof, which was then hung up to dry.
A striking body of work emerged by the end of Garma. Editions of 30 individual prints and 12 panels are now being printed in Darwin and it is envisaged that these prints will be exhibited next year at Garma 2005 |
The Artists
Djambawa Marawili, Gulumbu Yunupingu, Tommy May, Dorothy May, Spider Snell, Dolly Snell, Terry Gandadila Bonson BJ Timaepatua, Kenny Brown, John Tipungwuti, Joseph Tungatallum, John Martin, Kerry McIlvenny, Richard Walley, Michelle Broun, Yalmay Yunupingu, Dhuwarrwarr Marika, Richard Gandhuwuy, George Rurrumbu, Binmila Yunupingu, Djalu Gurruwiwi, Joel Pascoe, Karen Mills, Dhumudal Dhamarrandji, Dhanggayal Marawili, Kathy Liyawaday Wirrpanda, Ditjpalwuy Marawili, Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, Guwalilnga Yunupingu, Djakangu Yunupingu, Burrupu Yunupingu, Nyapanyapa Yunupingu, Kingston Rangi, Japeth Rangi, Rokula Marika, Dhayaw Marika, Roy Harrington, Junior Barnes, Elizika Puertollano, Manki Dhamarrandji, Michal Mungula, George Milaypuma Gaykamangu, Margaret Gamuti Ganambarr, Andy Gurruwiwi, Dhopiya Gurruwiwi, Djalinda Ulamari, Watjumi Mununggurr. |
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