Sensitize the European public towards indigenous Australian art, one of the most brilliant expressions of current art, by contrasting the tendency to interpret it in purely ethnographic terms; connect Australian Aboriginal painting Western Desert to contemporary art, in particular to the metaphysical content of de Chirico's art and his conception of the world and the nature of being: these are the most significant and original messages of Dreamings. Australian Aboriginal Art meets de Chirico.In fact, the exhibition creates a bridge between a concept of the indigenous Australian tradition – dreaming o dreamtime, the dream time – and de Chirico's poetics, a relationship particularly highlighted in the section dedicated to the works of Imants Tillers, one of the most representative artists of current Aboriginal Art, in the project room on the first floor. Dreaming for the aborigines it is that spiritual time preceding the history and creation of the world of men.
The care of show is of Ian McLean and Erica Izett. The former is Research Professor in Contemporary Art, University of Wollongong, Australia and author of numerous books on Indigenous Australian art. You are part of the scientific committee of the journals Third Text and World Art. Erica Izett has been working in the same research sector for years.
Dreamings. Australian Aboriginal Art presents more than 50 works - between the most interesting from a qualitative point of view – performed predominantly in acrylic since the 90s by leading contemporary Australian Indigenous artistsexemplifying the different styles and artistic schools of Australia's central and western desert regions.
The works mostly come from one of the most representative private collections in the sector, that of the French Marc Sordello e Francis Missana. For the Bilotti Museum – born on the occasion of a private donation – it is an opportunity to reopen the research line on contemporary art collecting started years ago with various exhibitions already held.
The works of the artists on display can be ascribed to the movement Western Desert, which brings together indigenous artists from communities in a vast area of Australia (600.000 kmXNUMX) with very little population. Furthermore, on display, there are also works by two indigenous artists of urban culture, Christian Thompson and Judy Watson, who, with a contemporary style, address the themes of territory and identity.
Less than three percent of Australia's population is indigenous; a large number live in urban areas while only a minority remained on or near their native land in sparsely populated and remote areas. Most of the Indigenous art comes from this distant Australia resulting in a hybrid culture that combines Indigenous and Western traditions.
Born in the 70s, only starting from the early 80s, art Western Desert it has ceased to be relegated to ethnographic museums to connect with contemporary art. Complicit in this evolution is the debate on post-colonialism and globalization and on post-modernism, led by young artists and exhibition curators, whose main exponent was Imants Tillers. Since then, the community acrylic canvas paintings Western Desert they attracted the attention first of the art world and, immediately after, of its market.
Two main lines of expression can be identified, that of the artists who still live in remote communities - who from the 80s onwards came into contact with the international artistic community, through books, magazines, visits to museums and frequenting western artists – and that of urban artists of indigenous tradition, who, despite being educated in schools and universities, maintain contact with the culture of the natives. Overall, however, it is an art of affirmation of original and ancient values but which also assumes a barometer value of the change in the world.
The artists on display: Jimmy Baker, Lydia Balbal Wugulbalyi, Paula Paul Kuruwarriyingathi Bijarrb, Jan Billycan Karrimarra (Djan Nanudie), Michael Nelson Jagamarra, Paddy Sims, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Billy Koorubbuba, Carol Golding Maayatja, Claudia Moodoonuthi, Bessie Sims Nakamarra, Eubena Nampitjin, Esther Giles Nampitjinpa, Nyurapayia Bennett Nampitjinpa, Susie Bootja Bootja Napaltjarri, Lucy Yukenbarri Napanangka, Dorothy Robinson Napangardi, Judy Watson Napangardi, Lily Kelly Napangardi, Maggie Watson Napangardi, Lorna Fencer Napurrula, Nyarapyi Giles Ngamurru, Elisabeth Nyumi Nungurrayi, Naata Nungurrayi, Nora Wompi Nung urrayi , Tiger Palpatja, Minnie Motorcar Pwerle, Christian Bumbarra Thompson, Wingu Tingima, Mick Woma (Pegleg) Brown Tjampitjinpa, Boxer Milner Tjampitjin, Sam Willikati Tjampitjin, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Billy Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Long Tom Tjapanangka, Tjumpo Tjapanangka, Whiskey Tjukangku, George Ward Tjungurrayi, Willy Tjungurrayi, Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula, Hector Burton Tjupuru, Prince of Wales, Judy Watson.
The initiative is promoted by Roma Capitale, Department of Culture, Creativity and Artistic Promotion - Capitolina Superintendency for Cultural Heritage with the organization of Zètema Progetto Cultura. Exhibition produced with the sponsorship of the Australian Embassy in Italy and the support of the Sordello Missana Collection.
Carlo Bilotti Museum-Orangery of Villa Borghese, Rome
from the 4 July to the 2 November 2014
