Arty Alice

Newcastle Herald

Thursday February 23, 2006

Chris Watson

Alice Springs might be the last place you

would expect an art explosion, but it is

happening.

Compared with Venice or New York, it would be fair to say Alice Springs hasn?t

traditionally been considered a mecca for culture vultures, but on this crisp

morning an elegantly coifed gentleman is whispering in plum tones down his

mobile phone, attempting to blend in with a throng of locals outside the Araluen

Galleries in the Alice Springs cultural precinct. ?That?s the Sotheby?s rep,? a resident

art-lover remarks. ?They?ve got their buyers here, don?t you worry. It?s the worst kept

secret around?.

A crowd of around 1000 is outside the gallery for the opening of Desert Mob - a

collection of art works from 31 Aboriginal art centres across Central Australia. In

the 15 years it has been running, Desert Mob has gained a reputation as one of the

premier national events in contemporary Aboriginal art.

When the Territory?s Chief Minister, Clare Martin, declares the exhibition open, the

excited crowd surges towards the gallery entrance as if a football match is about to

start. Inside, almost every inch of white space has been obscured by blocks of colour

- canvases, woven pieces, wooden carvings and sculptures. Within seconds a queue

has formed at the sales counter and red dot stickers indicating ?sold? spread like a

rash across the walls.

Ever since 1971, when art teacher Geoffrey Barden took note of the patterns old

men in the community of Papunya drew in the sand, whitefellas have been eager

to learn the meaning of desert art?s deceivingly simple symbols. Traditionally, dots

and circles, lines and squiggles indicate a waterhole here, a campsite there. When

combined on a body of work, they act as code to unravel secrets of the artist?s

country.

Many contemporary Aboriginal artists have taken the form to abstract new realms.

Ochre paints have been replaced by primary colours, fi ne dots by wild brush strokes

and a fusion of traditional forms and modern materials has become the norm.

The contemporary Aboriginal art movement originated in Papunya (240 km west

of Alice Springs) but the marketplace for the work was always Alice. In many ways,

the outback centre has long been a destination for modern art lovers. Surrounded

by ruby ranges and a sea of spinifex, its landscapes inspired artists well before Albert

Namatjira painted the view with his watercolours in 1934.

Today, Alice Springs has more commercial Aboriginal art galleries than anywhere

else in the world. In the Todd St Mall, the main shopping drag, galleries stand wall to

wall, packed to the rafters with acrylic spattered boards and rolls of canvas. For the

fi rst-time buyer and even keen collector, the sheer bulk of art on offer in Alice can

be overwhelming.

Many buyers prefer to purchase works direct from the community art centres.

In Central Australia, making the journey to a magical sounding, far-away place

like Utopia, Ali Curung or Titjikala can be half the fun. But for visitors with a tight

itinerary, organising transport, accommodation and permits for a trip to these

Aboriginal communities can take too much time. The beauty of Desert Mob is that it

presents a unique survey of Central Australia?s fi nest art centres.

Desert Mob is held annually on the last Sunday of the Alice Springs Festival in

September.

More information: www.travelnt.com

Art tips

Tips for investing in Aboriginal art in Alice Springs

Do your research and decide what styles and artists you like before you arrive. There?s

lot of art to take in once you hit the ground.

Visit the Desart website, which has links to the online galleries of various art centres

www.desart.com.au

Contact community art centres directly and talk to them about particular artists.

Look at what?s coming up at auction and see what prices painting are going for.

Make sure you get the proper documentation. Auction houses like Christies and

Sotheby?s won?t buy paintings without a certifi cate of authenticity.

- Sophie Gordon, Northern Territory Tourism

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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