A major survey show by Aboriginal artist Barney Ellaga will open at Mitchell Fine Art in Fortitude Valley on April 6th.
The exhibition ‘Place of Stones’ is a collection of artwork never exhibited in its entirety, with the most recent painting completed in 2004.
Barney Ellaga was a senior Aboriginal law man and until his recent passing in late 2015 was the last remaining song man of the Alawa people. Barney had intimate knowledge of his traditional homelands and it is this subject which his work most represents.
The Aboriginal community of Ngukurr is located in Southeast Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory. It is known for its vibrant artistic community, distinct style and exuberant use of colour.
Born in 1939 Barney Ellaga is represented in many corporate and institutional collections including the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.
“Barney was a leader in developing a style of art that is now considered distinct for this area,” says Mike Mitchell, Director Mitchell Fine Art “He was an innovator and wildly extravagant in his use of colour and imagery.”
Mike worked closely with Barney in the Northern Territory from 2000 until 2004 and he and Barney formed a close friendship. The relationship however goes back much further with Barney working as a stockman alongside an older sibling of Mike’s in the 1980’s.
Mitchell Fine Art was previously known Muk Muk Fine Art. The ‘Muk Muk’ or Night Owl was a primary subject of Barney’s.
To view the exhibition online visit www.mitchellfineartgallery.com
