Community Spotlight: Artworks from Balgo

'Painting, to paint from long way, my country. Teach two-way learning, white fella and black fella. As a Maparn man [traditional healer]. But also for myself, my country. Around Nyumi, Kiwirrkurra side. I remember that. Telling my story, it’s my life, my country. My father country, my grandfather country' - Helicopter Tjungurrayi 

Balgo is located in the East Kimberley’s in the far north of Western Australia. Established in 1939 and returned to Aboriginal control in the 1980’s, the settlement brought together diverse tribal groups from the desert, including Kukatja, Walmajarri, Warlpiri, Pintupi, Ngardi and Tjaru people. Many Balgo artists have family links with the Papunya Tula artists and in the 1970’s the community kept a close eye on the rise of the painting movement there. The Balgo art community entered into Australia’s art consciousness in the 1980’s; in 1986 the Art Gallery of Western Australia held the inaugural Balgo exhibition ‘Art from the great Sandy Desert’ and by 1987 Balgo had their own art studio, Warlayirti Artists. Early Balgo paintings were large scale canvases created primarily with dotting sticks with an earth based colour palette. The artists turned toward brushes in the 1990’s and an explosion of colour hit the canvases. Senior law men and women began depicting travel paths, distinctive landscapes and hidden ceremonial business in a range of styles and colours that saw the rise of art legends such as Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Lucy Loomoo and Elizabeth Nyumi. 

The diverse range of styles at Balgo has continued, ranging from the hypnotic paired back lines of senior men’s paintings that contrast with the layered colours and generous sense of movement in senior women's paintings. Today, Balgo is home to all mediums and styles, it supports a diverse range of artists befit of its position at the crossroads of many tribal groups from the region. This has put the art studio in a unique position, allowing for social and cultural exchanges with many communities. A new cultural centre was opened in Balgo 2002 and the relatives of the original Balgo artists continue to work with exciting evolving styles, while exhibiting internationally and carrying on the art practices and culture of the region. We are excited to announce that in 2021, Short St Gallery will be exhibiting an homage to the late great Balgo artist Elizabeth Nyumi's. Expressions of interest are invited for the preview next year.

In our efforts to continue to support and promote the industry we love and the artists we work with during the pandemic, Short St Gallery are doing Artist Profiles and Community Spotlights regularly, often with a special promotion, so keep your eyes on our emails for that little bit of something special. Our current promotions include free shipping on all Spinifex works until the end of August. 
You can access our fun new View on a Wall option by clicking on an image and then selecting View on a Wall. You can contact us via email or phone for all enquiries, to arrange a live chat or have additional images sent to you. We will also be posting videos and still footage of the featured artworks on our social media accounts to bring a little bit of the joy of art to your lounge rooms.