Mitchell Fine Art, Brisbane, Australia
21st June – 16th July 2022
‘Important Aboriginal Art #1’ is a collection of exceptional Aboriginal paintings by some of Australia’s foremost Indigenous artists in the Mitchell Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane.
Australian Aboriginal art is very diverse and stems from a culture that can be traced back thousands of years. What once would have been drawn in the sand, onto the body or on rock walls is now portrayed in paintings.
When contemporary Aboriginal art gained momentum during the 1970’s and 1980’s, this garnered both national and international interest and acclaim. Generally untrained in the visual arts, the artists were painting stories of cultural and history that radiated an energy and power which captivated viewers.
The first in a series of exhibitions in this theme, this collection of artworks features predominantly Central Australian artists that includes Clifford Possum, Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Makinti Napanangka.
These artists possess an extraordinary natural talent for colour and composition, and their artworks play an important role in the visual storytelling of Aboriginal culture and life in Australia.
A feature of the exhibition is a collection of early Aboriginal artefacts and Papunya boards. Held in private collections for many years, these items are being exhibited for the first time in decades.
Mitchell Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane
Mitchell Fine Art brings over 20 years of experience in the Art industry and showcases a selection of Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Contemporary artists in a modern gallery space in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.
Presenting an annual exhibition calendar of solo and group exhibitions, Mitchell Fine Art holds regular exhibition openings and artists talks and welcomes art lovers to mingle and engage with the artists. Mitchell Fine Art prides itself on the philosophy that ‚art is for everyone‘.
Artists currently represented within the Gallery’s stable include Ann Thomson, Bernard Ollis, Carlos Barrios, David Hayes, Franck Gohier, George Gittoes, Jeff Makin, Kim Wilson, Margaret Loy Pula, Matthew Cheyne, Min Woo Bang, Mirra Whale, Peter Hudson, Steve Lopes and Stewart MacFarlane.
The Brisbane gallery space was officially opened in August 2015, having relocated from the Northern Territory. Formerly known as Muk Muk Fine Art, one of Australia’s established names in Indigenous art the business operated galleries in both Darwin and Alice Springs. Demonstrating a wealth of knowledge on Indigenous art and an impressive inventory of Australian Indigenous and non Indigenous art, the rebranding to Mitchell Fine Artwas undertaken to reflect the company’s continued expansion into Contemporary art, whilst retaining its connection with Aboriginal art.
Gallery Director Mike Mitchell has over 35 years’ experience working in Aboriginal communities across the Northern and Central areas of Australia, having grown up in the Northern Territory. This experience has resulted in a deep understanding of Aboriginal people, their culture and their art.
Mike has worked with some of Australia’s foremost Indigenous artists both living and now deceased and has curated exhibitions within Australia and around the world. He strives to nurture emerging talent and promote art throughout Australia and overseas. His business is founded on strong working relationships with all its clients.
‚The Gallery boasts a stable of some of Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Contemporary artists‚, says Mike, ‚I am fortunate to be in a business that allows me to continue my passions – art and collecting.
The stylish gallery space is an exciting addition to the vibrant Brisbane art scene. With ample onsite parking, the modern gallery features seven metre ceilings and a floor area of approximately 250 square metres. The polished concrete floors and expansive white walls are a perfect backdrop to the beautiful artworks on display. The gallery stockroom above the main exhibition space offers an additional 80 square metres of Aboriginal and Contemporary artworks available to view.
With LED lighting and solar panels installed, the gallery is proudly working towards reducing its carbon consumption.