As Australian Aboriginal artists invigorated and renewed ancient traditions, many embraced abstract forms and patterns to represent elements of their culture. The image featured above, “Rockholes Near the Olgas X” was painted with acrylic on linen by the late Bill “Whiskey” Tjapaltjarri, a Pitjantjatjara artist from Central Australia who began painting on canvas at age 85. Several more images of artworks currently on view in Approaching Abstraction: Contemporary Aboriginal Art from Across Australia at the Asia Society follow:
Western Desert Pintupi painter Yinarupa Nangala, “Untitled,” 2008, Synthetic polymer paint on linen
The late Pitjantjatjara artist Carlene West, “Tjitjiti,” 2015, Synthetic polymer paint on linen
The late cutting-edge Anmatyerr artist Emily Kam Kngwarray, “Untitled (Alhalker),” 1993, Synthetic polymer paint on linen
Also by the late cutting-edge Anmatyerr artist Emily Kam Kngwarray, “Kam Yam Awelye.” 1996, Synthetic polymer paint on linen
Melbourne native Reko Rennie, “Camoufluer 6,” 2019, Acrylic, flashe and pigment on linen
Located at 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, the Asia Society is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11a.m. to 5 p.m. with free museum admission to the museum on Fridays.
Along with the monumental exhibition, Maḏayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala, Approaching Abstraction: Contemporary Aboriginal Art from Across Australia remains on view through January 5, 2025
Photographs by Tara Murray and Lois Stavsky
