Garma Festival

Following successful 2003 and 2004 Garma panel and print projects, Indigenous artists at the 2005 Garma Festival were again given the opportunity to participate in this year's project.

In 2003, artists created etchings and in 2004 woodblock prints. In 2005, artists were invited to cut an individual lino block that, placed together, will create a large collaborative panel -- a large work made up of the individual lino blocks. Around 50 Indigenous artists were involved.

panel2 Some of the participants in the project had never before tried lino cutting or printmaking, while others were experienced printmakers and well known artists. Several experienced artists from Balgo, Ngukurr and various Yolngu communities participated in the project

This year, Northern Editions and the School of Creative Arts and Humanities managed the delivery of lino printing workshops offering artists an opportunity to cut and print a lino block.

Two full-scale printing presses, complete with stabilising concrete blocks, were transported from Charles Darwin University to enable the students to produce their own prints on site. For many artists, this was the first time they had been directly engaged in printing their own blocks.

Most participating artists chose to edition their work as part of the 2005 project.

A striking body of work emerged by the end of Garma 2005. Editions of 30 individual prints and 12 panels will be printed and it is envisaged that these prints will be exhibited next year at Garma 2006.

panel4 Artists participating in the 2005 project were also offered training opportunities. VET tuition, modules from the Certificate III in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts, was delivered by two lecturers from Charles Darwin University.

The course assessed the enrolee’s competencies in lino cutting and printing techniques, as well as their awareness of occupational health and safety issues, intellectual property and the conventions for proofing and signing prints.

All enrolees who successfully completed these units will receive a ‘Statement of Attainment’ from Charles Darwin University, and will have the option to proceed with the remainder of the Certificate III course at a later date.

Photos copyright Kathryn Leo 2005

2005 Artists

Grace Wuyngura, Raymattja Marika, Anita Maynard, Michael Mugula, Raelene Aitchison, Pedro Wonemirri, Steven Wilinyfanu, Alan Joshua, Amanda Pehi, Cassandra Brown, Joshua Mauver, Andrew Tibbitts, Faye McMillan, Neil Fourmile, Gemma Brogan, Veronica Peters, Ses Zaro, Bilawara Lee, Jennifer Martiniello, Kathy Arbon, Jason Dixon, Jasmine Sarin, Eva Nagomara, Marre Mudgedell, David Moscoa, Kathryn Leo, Diane Moore, Patrick Freddy Puruntatemeri, Michael Mugula, Joel Marawili, Kristie Harrison, Yalmay Yunupingu, Beth Wrrigley, Alice Johusa, Anna Sebbens, Marianne Gaykamanu, Regis Pangirminni, Carol Manfong, Amy Johnson, Djapirri Mununggirritj, Dhangal Gurruuwiwi, Sharon Holt, Delvene Clarke, Julie Djarpirr Mununggurr, Patricia Anne Kelly, Camelia Blitner, Josephine Bara, Rubenstan Bara, Richard Hampton, Benuel Mamarika, Matt Simpson, Wilfred Nawirridj, Joey Nganjmirra, Marina Wurramara, Donna Wurramara, Avevly Gaykamanu, Latanya Lalara, Judith Gaykamanu, Antoinette Bara, Anna-Louise Lalara, Tiana-Katie Herbert and George Milaypuma