Ninuku Arts, Mr Donegan
Ninuku Arts (Mr Donegan) — Malu Tjukurpa (Large) Vessel
In 2018, the artists of Ninuku Arts including Mr Donegan undertook a revelatory and exciting new project to produce artwork in glass. The senior artists were inspired to pursue glass after a visit to the studios of JamFactory in Adelaide as part of a DESARTS professional development program.With the support of project funding from the South Australian government, the artists of Ninuku learned to adapt traditional brush and mark making techniques to recreate their individual tjukurpa and walka designs.
Working with a base palette of black, dark blue, ochre and red, similar to those employed by the artists in their canvas painting, JamFactory's glass studio produces starter glass bubbles that are then sent to the community for the artists to paint with enamel paints. These works are then fired in a small kiln before heading back to the JamFactory where they are blown into forms directed by the artists from afar.
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Ngaanyatjarra/ Pitjantjatjara artist Mr Donegan (1940 - 2022) began painting professionally about 2000, as one of the first painters of the local artists co-operative Papulankutja Artists in Western Australia. On the passing of his wife Donegan moved back to Kalka in the A_angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY) where he started painting at Ninuku Arts. In 2010 Donegan won the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award..
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Everyone’s heard of a dragon
Curated by James Lemon and Bobby Corica
11 November 23 – 27 January 24
Material: glass
Dimensions: approx. 30 x 22cm
