October 7 - December 10, 2006
The first-ever exhibition of its kind in the United States, Dreaming Their Way features intensely colorful canvases and intricate bark paintings by thirty-three Indigenous female artists from across the Australian continent. The paintings demonstrate these women's bold and often experimental interpretations of their cultural heritage. Works from renowned artists such as Dorothy Napangardi and the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye express the Indigenous relationship to the land, understanding of the world, and sense of obligation to their culture. Collectively, these works will encourage visitors to view contemporary Australian Indigenous art as one of the great art movements of our time.
This exhibition was organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. Its presentation at the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, is generously funded by the George O. Southwick 1957 Memorial Fund, the Marie-Louise and Samuel R. Rosenthal Fund, and the William B. Jaffe and Evelyn A. Hall Fund.
See the exhibition at the Hood! QuickTime gallery panoramas
To listen to an interview with Australian Indigenous art scholar Franchesca Cubillo about the exhibition, click here.
To learn more about the art and artists, click here, here, here, or here.
To read the full press release, click here.
11 October, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Opening Lecture and Keynote Address
Arthur M. Loew Auditorium
EMERGENCE OF AN ABORIGINAL FINE ART MARKET IN AUSTRALIA
Fred Myers, Silver Professor and Chair, Department of Anthropology, New York
University
A reception will follow in Kim Gallery.
12 October, Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Conference
105 Dartmouth Hall
INDIGENOUS ART IN AUSTRALIA TODAY: VIEWS FROM CURATORS, COLLECTORS, AND
SCHOLARS
Morning Session, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
WELCOME
Brian Kennedy, Director
DREAMING THEIR WAY: MAKING AN EXHIBITION
Britta Konau, Curator, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, and curator of the
exhibition Dreaming Their Way
DIVERSITY AND CHANGE IN AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL ART
Margo W. Smith, Director and Curator of the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art
Collection of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville
WALKING TOUR OF DREAMING THEIR WAY
Will Owen, Librarian, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and
Collector of Australian Indigenous Art
Afternoon Session, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
SOVEREIGNTY AND LAND RIGHTS IN NATIVE AMERICA: THE KEY ISSUES
Dale A. Turner, Assistant Professor of Native American Studies and
Government
STEALING POWER: ABORIGINAL ART, IDENTITY, AND RIGHTS OF
SELF-DETERMINATION
N. Bruce Duthu, Professor of Law, Vermont Law School and Visiting Professor of
Government and Native American Studies
21 October, Saturday, 2:00 p.m.
Introductory Tour of Dreaming their
Way
22 October, Sunday, 12:00 noon 5:00 p.m.
Family Day
Ancient Stories, Modern Paintings
Explore ancient stories told through colorful contemporary paintings and
hear fascinating music at this Dreaming Their Way family program. In
the gallery, use a written guide, puzzles, and other resources to learn about
the paintings, which draw upon ancient stories—or Dreamings—and symbols, as
well as each artist's deep connection to the land. In the studio, create a
painting inspired by your own connection to where you live. Vermont musician
Pitz Quattrone will perform on the Indigenous didgeridoo at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The museum exploration, art activity, and performance are free. For children
ages 6 to 12 and their adult companions. No pre-registration required. For
information, call (603) 646-1469.
24 October, Tuesday, 12:30 p.m.
Second-Floor Galleries
Lunchtime Gallery Talk
HIDDEN MEANINGS IN AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL PAINTINGS
Kirk Endicott, Professor of Anthropology
1 November, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Arthur M. Loew Auditorium
Lecture
IN THE EYE OF THE STORM: CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ART IN
AUSTRALIA
Brian Kennedy, Director
5 November, Sunday, 2:00 4:30 P.M.
Teen Workshop
Painting Your Story
This workshop is designed for young adults ages 14 to 18. In the museum,
participants will look at paintings created by contemporary Aboriginal artists,
many of which refer to ancient stories, or Dreamings, that are very meaningful
to the artists. Then, in the studio, participants will create paintings on
canvas that refer to stories that are important in their own lives. Enrollment
is limited to fifteen and the workshop is free. Call (603) 646-1469 for more
information or to register.
8 November, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Arthur M. Loew Auditorium
Live Teleconference
Françoise Dussart, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Women's
Studies at The University of Connecticut will be speaking wit artists in the
remote Australian community of Yuendumu at the Warlukurlangu Art center via
video teleconference. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear indigenous
artists' perspectives!
15 November, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
Adult Workshop
What's the Story?
This discussion-based tour of selected works in Dreaming Their
Way is designed for adults who would like to learn more about contemporary
Aboriginal paintings and the stories and events to which they refer. The
conversational approach of the workshop is designed to help participants
increase their skills, confidence, and enjoyment in exploring contemporary art.
Participation limited to sixteen. Pre-registration required by calling the
museum's education department at (603) 646-1469.
18 November, Saturday, 2:00 p.m.
Introductory Tour of Dreaming Their
Way
28 November, Tuesday, 12:30 p.m.
Second-Floor Galleries
Lunchtime Gallery Talk
THE LADIES OF HERMANNSBURG: PAINTING AND POTTERY IN THE CENTRAL
AUSTRALIAN DESERT
Barbara Thompson, Curator of African, Oceanic, and Native American
Collections
1 December, Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Lecture and Tour of Dreaming Their
Way
Robert Kaplan, attorney and member of the Board of Trustees of the
Seattle Art Museum, and Margaret Levi, Jere L. Bacharach Professor of
International Studies, Department of Political Science, University of
Washington; distinguished collectors of Australian Indigenous Art
9 December, Saturday, 2:00 p.m.
Introductory Tour of Dreaming Their
Way
