Jan Murphy Gallery is excited to present a new exhibition of paintings from the Tjala Arts centre in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.
Seven Sisters will feature large scale paintings by Sylvia Ken and Tjungkara Ken, the Ken Sisters Collaborative (Tjungkara Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin and Sandra Ken), plus an individual collaboration by Tjungkara Ken and Yaritji Young. The Seven Sisters Story is a Tjukurpa Story (Creation Story) about the constellations of Pleiades and Orion. This is a narrative of the Pleiades constellations (the sisters) and a sinister man who followed them, within a richly evocative landscape.
Recognised as contemporary painters who are at the forefront of the Western Desert movement, these artists have cemented their importance in the Australian cultural landscape in recent years, with members of the group being finalists and winners in several major awards. Most recently, Sylvia Ken was awarded the Wynne Prize 2019 and the Ken Sisters Collaborative won the Wynne Prize in 2016. Tjungkara Ken has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize (2017) and Wynne Prize (2019 and 2016).
Known for their vibrant use of colour and energetic mark making, works by Tjala artists are held in numerous public institutions including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of NSW, National Gallery of Victoria, Artbank and the Art Gallery of South Australia. The Ken Sisters Collaborative are currently in the 2018 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art.
MORE ABOUT TJALA ARTS
Established in 1999, Tjala Arts is located at the base of the Musgrave Ranges in the stunning Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia. An Aboriginal owned and managed corporation, Tjala Arts boasts an exciting exhibition program supporting established, mid-career and emerging artists.
Image credit: Sylvia Ken Seven Sisters 2019, Winner of 2019 Wynne Prize. Courtesy of Tjala Arts.