KURU ALALA eyes open

The exhibition KURU ALALA Eyes Open showcases new work generated as a result of an extensive residency and workshop programme held over two years in remote desert communities across Central Australia.

Contemporary installation artists Maria Fernanda Cardoso and Alison Clouston visited the Ngaanyatjarra and Pitjantjatjara Lands respectively to share ideas, experiences and skills with fibre artists from the renowned Tjanpi Desert Weavers. They have collaborated on the development of an exhibition with the aim to stimulate greater awareness and insight into concepts of culture, country and community.

The exhibition consists of eight separate but interlinked bodies of work, two from each of the visiting artists and four from the community of desert artists.

The desert artists collaborated to produce a series of life-size conceptually linked fibre figures that represent scenes from the tjukurrpa, specifically the Minyma Kutjara (Two Women) and Tjitji Tjuta (Many Children) stories, as well as scenes of daily living , an early days bush family and a station scene, complete with psychedelic windmill and open back truck full of women, kids and dogs.

For more information, images and artist's talks check out the exhibition blog at www.kurualala1.wordpress.com

KURU ALALA Eyes Open is a travelling exhibition developed by the Gold Coast City Gallery in partnership with Tjanpi Desert Weavers and the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council, proudly supported by the Balnaves Foundation and toured by Museum and Gallery Services Queensland.

This project has been assisted through the Touring Exhibition Partnership Plan of Museum and Gallery Services Queensland, with the support of the Australia Council, the Federal Government's arts funding and advisory body. The exhibition tour has been made possible with the support of Visions of Australia, an Australian Government program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of Australian cultural material across Australia.