Mamana Mamanta (Gradual Friendship) - Luna Ryan and Jock Puautjimi

 

Catalogue

Mamana Mamanta - gradual friendship - is a fitting title for this exhibition featuring new work by Jock Puautjimi, Tiwi artist of the Wantarringa (sun) skin group from Bathurst Island and Luna Ryan an established Canberra glass artist, as it succinctly describes the slow development and growth of their friendship.

Ryan was invited to undertake workshops with the artists of Tiwi Design on Bathurst Island and it was here that Ryan and Puautjimi cultivated a rapport based on a mutual respect for each others artistic practices. The slowly softly approach suggested in the words mamana mamanta is an eloquent metaphor for the process of making art in general and for creating glass sculptural objects in particular, a method requiring exceptional skill and knowledge. It describes the course of this project as it started out with one off workshops, ACT Government funding to facilitate the creation of new works and now two years later embarks upon a national exhibition tour with the generous support of the Federal Government through Visions Australia.

The enormous wealth of the Tiwi culture is shown side by side with Ryan's evocative works based on our common humanity and our common need for nurture and harmony between people. Each artist has recognised and retained their individual identities through the conceptual basis of their work, and created a space in which their cultures could be safely explored and recognised. The resulting exhibition is a body of visually dynamic work articulating a strong message of equality.

The commencement of the 42^nd parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia was an opportunity for Prime Minister Rudd to make an open and unequivocal apology to the stolen generations of indigenous people and to acknowledge their pain and suffering. This was a fresh breath of life in Australia's journey towards reconciliation. As Prime Minister Rudd asserts in this address, the apology is an important and historic symbolic act but it is our actions that are also required. The arts have long been that place where action, stories and education have blended to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation of different people and different views. Mamana Mamanta is one of these actions. It was through the ongoing friendship between Ryan and Puautjimi that they could come together, create new work and tell their stories for new generations of Australian audiences.

Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is honoured to have worked with all the participants of this project, Ryan, Puautjimi and Tiwi Design. Through the assistance of the ACT Government and Visions Australia this exhibition showcases innovation, excellence and diversity in both Indigenous and contemporary Australian craft movements.

Barbara McConchie
Executive Director, Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre

Images

1. Luna Ryan, Arrow group, 2006/7. Kiln cast Blackwood crystal
2. Jock Puautjimi (cast with Luna Ryan), Jilamara, 2004. Kiln cast Blackwood crystal. Collection of Mr Ian Shortt

All photographs: Creative Image Photography

The above essay and images are from the 24 page catalogue Mamana Mamanta (Gradual Friendship) which can be purchased at the tour venues or ordered from Craft ACT for $10 (inc. GST and Postage)

Contents:

• Gradual friendship - Barbara McConchie
• A transparent process - Margie West

Phone: (02) 6262 9333 or email craftact [at] craftact.org.au

This exhibition is presented by Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, with support by Visions Australia, an Australian Government program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of Australian cultural material across Australia.