Dot Code: Desert Artists

The laetst exhibition titled  ‘Dot Code’ presents a range of Central and Western Desert artists whose work typifies a variety of styles and approaches used within the dot painting genre. The use of dot painting emerged from traditional designs that were part of carved artefacts, sand paintings and ceremonial body painting.

The early works transferred from these ritual sources and created on board and canvas initially came from Papunya, which then moved with people to other desert communities at Kintore and Kiwirrkura, then to Yuendumu, Haasts Bluff, Mt Liebig, Utopia and Balgo.

Artists from the Pintupi regions of Kintore and Kiwirrkura include Walangkura Napanangka, Patrick Tjungurrayi and Tatali Napurrula. Further east at Haasts Bluff and Mt Liebig, artists include Wentja Napaltjarri, Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Lilly Kelly Napangardi, Topsy Peterson Napangardi and Eva Nelson Napaltjarri. From Utopia exhibiting artists include Cowboy Loy Pwerl, Abie Loy Kemarre, Polly Ngale and Nancy Petyarre.

The variety in stylistic approaches from artists from these communities gives us some idea of the diversity of great paintings from the region. The exhibition is on display from 14 February to 26 March 2014.

Further information is available on exhibiting artists on the following links:

• Patrick Tjungurrayi
• Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri
• Abie Loy Kemarre
• Walangkura Napanangka
• Maureen Hudson Nampijinpa
• Jorna Newberry
• Maisie Campbell

Read more about Aboriginal dot art:

• Aboriginal Dot Painting in Central Australia
• Aboriginal Dot Art Paintings – Selected Works