Pictures from the professional development workshop.

The spirit of partnership helps Namatjira painters stay at the top of their game. From Monday the 8th of April, ten of the contemporary Western Arrente watercolour artists,
represented by Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art, will experience a week of personalised workshops and presentations to help them know their market, and keep producing high
quality artworks.

In response to the artists’ expressing desires for professional and market development opportunities, this initiative is the first in a series facilitated by Big hART’s Namatjira Project.
According to Associate Producer Cecily Hardy, this initiative has relied on inspired partnerships with Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art, and Talapi Gallery. Talapi Gallery owner Kate Podger, who has a long affinity with these descendants of the iconic Australian painter Albert Namatjira, will facilitate discussions with the artists this week. She commented saying “The unique desert country of Australia’s interior is made real by these gifted watercolour artist who have individual careers in their own right. This project aims to build on the strengths of these talented artists to prepare an exciting body of work “. This sentiment was echoed by Ngurratjuta’s Iris Bendor who agreed that through good times and bad, the Namatjira and Western Arrernte watercolour painting movement has always managed to survive. Now, it is just as important as ever to keep this piece of our national culture alive and thriving.

Desert Park is getting behind these artists in the support of their artistic pursuits; it is the new home of their Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art, and will be the venue for the special week of presentations and workshops starting on Monday. Lenie Namatjira, granddaughter of Albert Namatjira said “I am looking forward to next week, to paint and talk about our painting all together”. With artists travelling in from places like Ntaria (Hermannsburg) and Docker River to attend, it is looking like a significant gathering of some of the most skilled watercolourists in the country.

Cecily from the Namatjira Project said “Everyone’s come together with us on this because we all want to support these artists to do what they do. They, like any professional artists, relish the opportunity to gain insight into what the market is saying. They can digest that information and then do what they think is right for their own work. Hopefully it’s a chance for selfimprovement as well as teaching and learning from each other”. The artists will be doing some special new works, and while the week has been shaped as an intimate gathering just for them, the works they create will be able to be seen in exhibition at Talapi Gallery in May. Through Ngurratjuta Art and Gifts general public can also go and meet some of the artists on Mondays and Thursdays at Desert Park from the 15th of April.

Following the huge demand for a space representing the descendents and extended family of Albert Namatjira, Ngurratjuta Many Hands will unveil a new watercolour exhibition for art lovers of all ages, thanks to the generous support of the Ngurratjuta-Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation and the Alice Springs Desert Park.

Officially launched on Friday, 22 March 2013 at 5pm, by the Hermannsburg landscape artists, The Art Space will be responsive to the Ngurratjuta Many Hands’ extensive collection of watercolour landscapes from the last 9 years, making available a place for Arrernte Artists to come together to paint, share and learn new techniques and ideas.

Ngurratjuta Many Hands Coordinator, Iris Bendor says “The new gift shop and exhibition space are dynamic locations of cultural education and audience engagement.”

“The Art Space also signals the organisation’s commitment to developing its artists and audiences – now and into the future. It represents a bold step forward for the Hermannsburg landscape artists, into the community, to embrace art lead learning experiences and the Arrernte tradition. “

Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art Space will feature a unique exhibition of the famous “Twin Gums” painting of Albert Namatjira, executed by 3^rd generation watercolour artists. During the festive opening Scott Pullyblank – The Desert Park Life Sciences curator will talk about the rejuvenation of Central Australian gum trees.

The Hermannsburg choir will hold a concert during the event

The art space will also showcase work of featured talented watercolour artists including Mervyn Rubuntja, Ivy Pareroultja and Peter Taylor as well as beautiful painted pots by the Hermannsburg potters.

Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art Space will encourage visitors to engage with Albert Namatjira’s life and art. It will showcase rare collectibles such as photographs, books and letters. The exhibition will house the largest collection of contemporary watercolour paintings by Hermannsburg school artists in Australia. It will provide the opportunity to keep track of the artists’ developments, or compare their paintings with works by other watercolour artists from previous generations.

Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art Space will be officially launched by the Ngurrutjuta corporation, Desert Park and the Hermannsburg artists on Friday 22 march 2013 and will open to the public to coincide with the Alice Springs Desert Park experience. Launch details below:

What: Official launch of The Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art Space

When: Friday 22 March 2013 5pm

Where: Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art Space, Alice Springs Desert Park

Meet near the Park’s entry station, Main Doors entrance, near the Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art and Gifts shop.