The rainforest travels to Hahndorf

Aboriginal Art Directory | 02.03.10

THE ARTISTRY OF JAWUN: Neriba Gallasch, Abe Muriata, Erima Gallasch and Sarenah Gallasch at the opening of Bi-cornual Artistry at the Tineriba Gallery in Hahndorf, South Australia. Photo Girringun Aboriginal Corporation.

VIEWING THE JAWUN: Artist Abe Muriata, Gallery Director Neriba Gallasch and Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre Manager, Valerie Keenan with Abe’s elegant ceremonial jawun, the feature artwork of the exhibition. Photo Girringun Aboriginal Corporation

VALERIE KEENAN

A passionate desire to show and share the unique rainforest bi-cornual baskets of Far North Queensland has been fulfilled by Tineriba Gallery Director Neriba Gallasch.

An exhibition of work by masterweaver and Girramay Traditional Owner Abe Muriata of Tully opened on Wednesday night at the new Hahndorf gallery space in South Australia.

Opened by Doreen Mellor, Director Development, National Library of Australia, Canberra, the exhibition features a number of very finely woven traditional Aboriginal jawun unique to the rainforest aboriginal people.

“Abe creates exquisitely crafted bi-cornual baskets or jawun,” Ms Mellor said.

“He is truly a master maker and has worked very hard for over a decade to achieve this level of expertise.

“Abe has taken great care to study older examples of bi-cornual baskets in museums and to revisit his memories of his grandmother weaving.

“When he was a child he watched her making these elegant baskets.

“When Abe makes traditional fibre jawun, he says he is aiming for perfection.

“Jawun held a very significant place in rainforest cultures.

“There were ceremonial baskets painted with ochres as well as those used for every day.

The artist Abe Muriata found the experience of visiting Hahndorf and South Australia for the launch of the exhibition very invigorating.

“It has been a great privilege for me to be amongst highly experienced and knowledgeable art patrons like Neriba and her associates,” Abe said.

“I have gained an insight into the complexities of building a career in the arts.

“This opportunity has given me a clearer view of my future direction and some understanding of the expectations of curators, gallery operators and the viewing public.

“My vision of where I am heading starts with my original idea to achieve the perfection I have always strived for when I am weaving.”

Abe’s work is held in a number of major collections including the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Queensland Art Gallery.

He is managed by the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre of Cardwell in Far North Queensland.

Abe Muriata’s exhibition Bi-cornual Artistry continues at The Tineriba Gallery at 77 Main Street Hahndorf until March 28 and is open daily 11am to 5pm.

Enquiries can made to 08 8388 7218 or 07 4066 8300.

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