Emergent by FORM WA

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Emerging curatorial practice from the Pilbara region of northwest Western Australia

Participating curators

Corban Clause Williams

Kimberley McKie

Lorna Dawson

Sharlene Phillips

Layne Dhu-Dickie

Melissa Sandy

Courtney McKay

Wendy Warrie

Martumili Artists

Spinifex Hill Studio Spinifex Hill Studio

Juluwarlu Art Group

Spinifex Hill Studio Spinifex Hill Studio Yinjaa-Barni Art

Cheeditha Art Group

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Curators Andrew Nicholls (left) and Glenn Iseger-Pilkington with artist and emerging curator Melissa Sandy at Yinjaa-Barni Art, 2021. Photograph by Claire Martin.

Foreword

At FORM we are committed to showcasing the creativity and diversity of Western Australia’s regions. Having been privileged to work extensively across the Pilbara in particular for more than 15 years, we have become aware of the extraordinary artistic talent residing there. This awareness has inspired our Tracks We Share project, which we have been developing since 2019 in collaboration with the artists and art centres of the Pilbara region. Tracks We Share culminates in a major exhibition of the same name, opening at The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) this March, and running until August 2022. Though Tracks We Share: Contemporary Art of the Pilbara will signify the chief outcome of this three-year undertaking, it is only one aspect of the project’s many aims. Since 2019, artists across the Pilbara have also taken up opportunities for artistic development and collaboration via the project’s residencies, commissions, workshops and professional training. Emergent is an integral part of this programming. Showing at FORM’s own exhibition space, The Goods Shed in Claremont, this exhibition has eventuated from the Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program, which has beendelivered over the past year by FORM’s curatorial team, and guest mentor Tui Raven.

Under Tui’s expert guidance, the participating artists and arts workers have been supported through the process of developing and presenting an exhibition of emerging and experimental works by artists from their respective art centres. Along the way, they have gained additional skills in negotiating the hurdles of putting together an exhibition in the midst of a global pandemic. We sincerely thank Tui and the participating curators for their dedication to the project and their tenacity in such challenging circumstances.

Emergent is an exhibition of refreshing and innovative works by some of the Pilbara’s most exciting emerging creatives. The art is an enthralling complement to the work of the region’s established and senior artists, on display at AGWA from March. FORM is delighted to have supported these curators in expanding their profiles and skills within the contemporary arts industry. Thanks to the stewardship of this talented group of individuals, Emergent shows both a vibrant present and a bright future for the Pilbara’s contemporary art movement. Tabitha McMullan Executive Director, FORM

Curator Tui Raven installing the Emergent exhibition at The Goods Shed, 2022. Photograph by FORM.

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Participating Curators

Corban Clause Williams

Lorna Dawson

I was born in Newman Hospital. Mum, Dad, Nanna and Pop lived in Jigalong before, but they moved into town before I was born. I’m one of seven children. I grew up in Newman, this is my home. I like to travel but I worry about home.

My name is Lorna Dawson. My mum is a full-blood Aboriginal. My mum’s father was a Nyamal Law man. My mum’s mother was Nyiyparli woman. My dad was a white man that was born in Jardee in Western Australia.

I teach cultural awareness with KJ [Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Rangers] and help the YMCA with youth programs. I work at Martumili too, helping to sell the paintings and get the canvas ready.

I was raised in Perth and came back up to Hedland (where I was born) when I was a teenager. I have been in Hedland pretty much since then. Moved away and travelled around a bit but always came back to Hedland. I am sister to 14 siblings. I am a mother to four wonderful children.

I’m [also] a Martumili artist. I come to Martumili to paint about my Country, where my grandfather walked around and collected food, and visited the same rockholes I do. I paint to keep my culture and stories and share with others. Sometimes I paint with my nanna Jakayu [Biljabu]. I learn from her a little bit. My skin name is Milangka and Kaalpa [Kalypa, Canning Stock Route Well 23] is my grandfather Country. I was really happy to go see my [two] grandfathers’ Country – pukurlpa [happy]. When I paint I feel like it’s home. Doing it on the canvas, feel like I’m standing there back at home.

I started painting as a personal journey. I picked up a skewer [used for painting dots]. It helped me get through some real bad days. I just paint with dots. ‘I dabble in dots’ I like to say. Sometimes I paint animals, sometimes I paint Country; sometimes I paint things on Country. As well as being an artist, Lorna is Lead Studio Assistant at Spinifex Hill Studio.

Layne Dhu-Dickie

Courtney McKay

My name is Layne Dhu-Dickie, I’m a comic book artist from South Hedland.

Courtney is a Yindjibarndi and Kurruma woman living in Roebourne. She started painting with acrylics and watercolour in high school, and began painting with Juluwarlu Art Group around the age of 18 or 19. She has taken part in workshops such as the Water Corporation animation project, for which she contributed a painting about Barrimirndi [water serpent] creating the Fortescue River during Ngurra Nyujunggamu [when the world was soft].

Born in 2004, Layne is one of the youngest artists at Spinifex Hill Studio. He is the creator of a comic book series featuring the fictional superhero Captain Hedland. In 2017 Layne became the youngest artist to ever feature in Fremantle Arts Centre’s Revealed Exhibition: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists, and in 2019 he became the youngest artist showcased at the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Tarnanthi. Layne won Best Work by an Artist Under 25 at the 2017 Hedland Art Awards. His work has been collected by the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Janet Holmes à Court Collection. As well as being an artist, Layne is a Studio Assistant at Spinifex Hill Studio.

Courtney paints, weaves baskets, and makes earrings. She likes making art because it allows her to learn about culture from her Elders. In addition to being an artist, Courtney also works at Juluwaru’s Ganalili Centre as a team leader.

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Kimberley McKie

Sharlene Phillips

‘I love art itself and the creation of art. I love seeing other people interpret it in their own way. It’s good that I get to be a part of that and help them.

‘I love working at Spinifex Hill Studio, hearing the artists tell their stories, especially from the old people. I love seeing smiles from the artists when their work is finished or when they win an award.

I was born in Perth. Moved here when I was two years old – very young. Grew up here, [and went to] school here. I have an older brother and two younger sisters. I started to paint in school but didn’t really take it up much as a hobby until I graduated high school. I like to copy pictures and whatever is on my mind. I’ve been an Arts Worker at Spinifex since February this year. Since I started here with mum, it’s been one of the most enjoyable jobs I’ve had. I love art itself and the creation of art. I love seeing other people interpret it in their own way. It’s good that I get to be a part of that and help them.’ Kimberley is Studio Coordinator at Spinifex Hill Studio.

I was born in Derby, Western Australia, originally from Broome. Spent some years in Derby as the family moved from Broome. In my teens I also lived in Bidyadanga. I am a Kajarri from my mother’s side, and an Injibari/ from my father’s side. I recently moved from where I lived in Katherine Northern Territory for 11 years. I have moved to Port Hedland together with my partner and three children and settle well in Port Hedland. Here [at Spinifex Hill Studio] I also found that I am related to some of the artists.’ Sharlene is a Studio Assistant at Spinifex Hill Studio.

Melissa Sandy

Wendy Warrie

I didn’t believe I was an artist to start with. I actually just did a painting and thought nothing of it until someone came in and purchased it. Being recognised as an artist is amazing. People work hard for what they do, for their money, for their families. And as artists we work hard. It may not be much, but when we get our stories on the canvas, at the end of the day, when you look at a finished art piece: it’s beautiful.

Wendy Warrie is a Yindjibarndi and Kariyarra woman living in Cheeditha community. The daughter of Yilbie Warrie and Bridget Jacob Snowball, Wendy is one of seven siblings and twin sister to artist Kaye. Wendy began painting in 1999 through Roebourne TAFE and the Bujinhurrba project in Cossack. Today, Wendy paints alongside her sisters Kaye and Sharon Warrie at Cheeditha Art Group.

Melissa Sandy was born in Port Hedland and lives in Roebourne. Melissa’s mother’s Country surrounds the Millstream Tablelands, while her father hails from Adelaide. Her acrylic on canvas works are recognisable for their meticulous selection of colour, depicting her Country as well as narratives of personal meaning.

Wendy’s artwork focuses on the creation stories of the Yindjibarndi people, particularly the story of the Barrimirndi [Rainbow Serpent], and the landscapes of her Country and around her home in Cheeditha. She has found recognition for her mesmeric line paintings that reference tidal flows, rugged coastlines and mountain ranges. Wendy has been featured in exhibitions across Perth and the Pilbara, including Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists at Fremantle Arts Centre, Colours of our Country, Ngurra Nyingu, Cossack Art Awards. She was selected as a finalist in the 2021 Jury Art Prize at the Courthouse Gallery in Port Hedland.

Melissa began painting with Yinjaa-Barni Art in 2006. Her artworks have been exhibited in Perth, Sydney and the Pilbara, and she has won several prizes in the Cossack Art Awards. As well as being an artist, Melissa is an arts worker at YinjaaBarni Art.

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Emergent at The Goods Shed, 2022. Photograph by FORM.

Emergent Tui Raven

Emergent is an outcome of an Emerging Curators Program aimed to engage a group of artists and art workers in the end-to-end process of curating an exhibition. The project has taken them through all the steps that go into creating an exhibition from selecting works, to considering what might go in a catalogue, to placing works in the exhibition space, and presenting accompanying public programming. The co-curators were encouraged to select works from their respective art centres by new and emerging artists, established artists who are trying new techniques, or artists who only make a small number of works. The co-curators helped me understand the artists’ works and practice and the complexity and breadth of works in their art centres, and they have delivered an inspiring mix of works. This includes the portrait drawings by Sophia Alone who uses these drawings to then create paintings. In 2021, Sophia was a finalist in the Lester Prize for portraiture, quite an achievement as Sophia has been practicing art for just over a year. There is already considerable interest in her works which are a beautiful insight into the artists and art centre workers at Spinifex Hill Studio, South Hedland. The works from Cheeditha Art Group and Yinjaa-Barni Art in Roebourne are

an insight into the changing nature of the artists’ practice. The artists here like to experiment with new techniques and change the way that they paint about Country. The works by Maisie Indji at Cheeditha Art Group have undergone a subtle shift towards delicate line and dot works, with what look to be Sturt’s Desert Peas floating across the canvas. They are quite different from her earlier bright bold coloured works. Co-curator and artist, Melissa Sandy from Yinjaa-Barni Art is consistently experimenting with new and interesting techniques, her canvases range from the brightly psychedelic to the subtly floral. The overlaying technique she applies is a lesson in applying just enough paint to draw the viewer into the canvas. Melissa did not want to include her works in Emergent as she is one of the co-curators. However, as the Consultant Curator I had a brief discussion with Melissa about curatorial practice versus being an artist and presenting your work. Sometimes artworks simply stand by themselves outside of the artist. This was a valuable lesson in understanding the differing role of the artist and the curator, especially in the context of this group of co-curators, as most of them are also artists. Another challenge was co-curating an exhibition amongst five art centres, with eight co-curators based thousands of kilometres from Perth. It was only made possible using technology. Most of the work was done via emails, telephone conversations and online video conferencing or via spreadsheets, diagrams, and 3D models. Slow internet speeds, learning new software, or

online storage systems also presented challenges - even just the volume of work required by co-curators to upload documents and read emails. The cocurators certainly had a crash course in upskilling. Learning new skills can be like a lesson in extreme sports, exhilarating and scary, but if you nail it, it becomes a lot easier. Like extreme sports, curating takes time and effort to learn. Going into this project, the main aim was to upskill art centre workers and artists. The natural conclusion to learning curatorial skills is an exhibition. This is an exhibition curated by emerging curators, so it was never intended to be a large-scale polished extravaganza. However, Emergent has delivered on visual impact and there will be a lingering impact for the viewer and the co-curators. These new skills will hopefully assist the co-curators to be more confident in curating exhibitions for their art centres or larger-scale exhibitions remotely. The program also coincided with the end of year shutdown period for art centres and the re-openings in January. It is hard for city folk to remember that November to February is remarkably busy in the northwest. It is a time to cyclone proof buildings, pack up for the holidays, and then it is also Law-time in some places. It is a major testament to the hard work of the co-curators, art centre workers and the staff at FORM. A very special thank you to the art centre managers and art centre workers for taking on this challenge with all the extra work required of them to support the co-curators and the project.

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

“Well, the difficulties will be putting which paintings go where…What if those five art groups have one story? They using the one story from the Dreamtime. All together or gotta make ‘em separate? That’s the hardest bit.” Wendy Warrie, Cheeditha Art Group

Maisie Indij Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 670 x 930mm

Maisie Indij Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 500 cm x 630mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Kaye Warrie Untitled 2021 Acrylic on bush turkey feather 200 x 400mm

Kaye Warrie Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 900 x 690mm

Kaye Warrie Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 950 x 330mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Courtney McKay, Judith Coppin, Margaret Read, Lorraine Coppin, Lilly Jo McKay, Harry Mills, Gabrielle Cheedy, Alice Guiness, Tazerendenna Lockyer, Sharona Walker, and Wendy Hubert.

Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1500 x 1500mm

“I felt proud because it is adding more skills to my job role. I felt good doing this because it was straight after I had curated the Juluwarlu History and Heroes show, and I didn't really know that you needed to be a professional to do that. I want to have more exhibitions in Ganalili [cultural centre].” Courtney McKay, Juluwarlu Art Group

Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1500 x 1500mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Wayne Stevens Transformation 2021 Yarranga Marni 500 x 500mm

Tootsie Daniel & Judith Coppin Fishing 2021 Yarranga Marni 500 x 500mm

Sharona Walker The Marrga 2021 Yarranga Marni 500 x 500mm

Jane Cheedy Buranyunhu Tharagangarli Bush Foods 2021 Yarranga Marni 500 x 500mm

Jane Cheedy Bajilangarli - bush capers 2021 Etching on scratchboard 406 x 508mm

Jane Cheedy Jirda Thalu (increasing site) 2021 Etching on scratchboard 508 x 406mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

“I chose a lot of good paintings. But really thinking about that name, and kapi [water] ngurra [home],kapi is ngurra. Paintings got a story about home, about water, where the old people been drinking water, in pujiman [traditional, bush-dwelling] days.” Corban Clause Williams

Helen Dale Samson Kumpupirntily (Kumpupintily, Lake Disappointment) 2018 Acrylic on canvas 1220 x 760mm

Miriam Atkins Minyarra (bush onion) 2016 Acrylic on canvas 890 x 890mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Elizabeth Toby Untitled 2019 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 910mm

Mary Rowlands Waterhole 2021 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 910mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Elizabeth Toby Waterhole 2021 Acrylic on canvas 760 x 122mm

Helen Dale Samson Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 610mm

Catherine Biljabu Wantili (Warntili, Canning Stock Royte) 2021 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 910mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Pauline Williams Kunawarritji Rockholes 2021 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 910mm

Pauline Williams Kunawarritji Rockholes 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1060 x 1520mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Roxanne Newberry Yirriya 2021 Acrylic on canvas 760 x 1210mm

Derrick Butt Kulyakartu 2021 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 1210mm

Robina Clause Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 610 x 910mm

Lorna Linmurra Rockhole 2021 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 1220mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Debra Thomas Kunawarritji (Canning Stock Route) 2021 Acrylic on canvas 610 x 910mm

Corban Clause Williams Kaalpa (Kalypa, Canning Stock Route) 2022 Acrylic on canvas 360 x 760mm

Judith Anya Samson Yirriya 2021 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 1220mm

Mary Rowlands Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 610 x 910mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Beryl Ponce Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1015 x 915mm

“You have to have a good eye, to pick the artwork, what’s going to be exhibited in the exhibition.” Sharlene Phillips, Spinifex Hill Studio

Beryl Ponce Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1220 x 915mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Beryl Ponce Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 405 x 355mm

“My first thoughts were honestly, it started off with curiosity, my curiosity was sparked. So, I thought it’d be really interesting. To see how the curators set up everything and how they design it all. Yeah, I was pretty intrigued and excited.” Layne Dhu-Dickie , Spinifex Hill Studio

Beryl Ponce Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 405 x 355mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

“I’ve been looking forward to furthering my knowledge in the arts. And I thought that it would be a great opportunity.” Kimberley McKie, Spinifex Hill Studio

Lena Alone Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 355 x 355mm

Lena Alone Untitled 2021 Acrylic on canvas 355 x 355 mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

“I reckon it would be good if we had that happen here on a regular basis, just training people. A lot of young’n’s want to do other things than just paint.” Lorna Dawson, Spinifex Hill Studio

Sophia Alone Untitled 2021 Pen/pencil on paper 415 x 295mm

Sophia Alone Untitled 2021 Lead pencil on paper 410 x 310mm

Sophia Alone Untitled 2021 Lead pencil on paper 405 x 305mm

Sophia Alone Untitled 2021 Lead pencil on paper 420 x 290mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

“I can see my artist’s art works, which I think are beautiful. But then I have seen some of Spinifex and Martumili paintings, and they are beautiful as well. We are all different. I think this exhibition is going to be beautiful.” Melissa Sandy, Yinjaa-Barni Art

Melissa Sandy Sturt Pea 2021 Acrylic on canvas 915 x 895mm

Melissa Sandy Springtime 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1050 x 765mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Melissa Sandy Pilbara Wildflowers & Sturt Peas 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1045x1065

Dawn Sandy Wildflowers Blooming 2022 Acrylic on canvas 760 x 1220mm

Dawn Sandy Wildflower Patch 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1500 x 830mm

Dawn Sandy Walking through the Land 2021 Acrylic on canvas 2005 x 1010mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

“I’m finding this quite difficult; the emails and you know doing things like that. I’d rather have face to face. You can’t see the other’s artworks either, you know.” Melissa Sandy, Yinjaa-Barni Art

Justina Willis My Country in Spring 2021 Acrylic on canvas 955 x 970mm

Justina Willis Hamersley Wildflowers 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1220 x 760mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Justina Willis Country in Spring 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1045 x 1065mm

Danii Rae Wilson Wildflower Patch 2021 Acrylic on canvas 610 x 915mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Renee Wally Cleaverville 2021 Acrylic on canvas 455 x 610mm

Rodney Adams Wittenoom Gorge 2021 Acrylic on canvas 455 x 610mm

Renee Wally Cooya Pooya 2021 Acrylic on canvas 405 x 610mm

Rodney Adams Heritage Place at Solomon Hub 2021 Acrylic on canvas 540 x 375mm

Donna Willis Pilbara Crossing 2021 Acrylic on canvas 1000 x 800mm

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

Looking forward in emergent practice The next step for emerging curators would be to develop skills in virtual 3D modelling. This is a technique I like to employ in the planning process. As an artist and curator, I am very visually minded. Being able to place artworks into a 3D model has changed the way I curate. Virtual 3D modelling makes planning and installation easier. It also gives curators an opportunity to change their mind and select another piece if it works better, before even stepping into the gallery space. It has certainly made my job more efficient and easier for me, installation crews, exhibition designers, gallery managers and directors. Here’s an insight into the virutal 3D modelling process for Emergent. Tui Raven Consultant curator/mentor

Emergent - Tracks We Share Emerging Curators Program

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