Maningrida
Arts & Culture (MAC), formally established
in 1973, is one of the oldest Aboriginal Arts Centre in Australia.
Based in Maningrida community, MAC is currently servicing
more than 700 artists from Maningrida and its surrounding
34 outstations, covering an area of more than 10,000 square
kilometres.
MAC has developed an enviable reputation
in the fine arts market for high quality product with comprehensive
cultural and biographical documentation. MAC currently organizes
more than 20 commercial exhibitions per year to promote its
artists. This has proven successful to provide a career path
for artists and raise their profile at a national and international
level. Additionally the arts centre engages in cultural maintenance
activities including the production of dictionaries, music
recording, preservation of the archives, supporting researchers
and students, responding to the community’s request
in respect of Cultural maintenance. MAC also maintains the
Djomi Museum, Maningrida’s keeping place.
Bark painting, wooden and fibre sculpture,
natural fibre items, since the 1970s prints, and more recently
works in bronze and aluminium are created by the artists
of MAC. The art of Maningrida is heterogeneous, dynamic and
innovative, reflecting the diversity of languages and cultures
present in the region. Many artists from MAC have won prestigious
national prizes over the years such as the bark painting
prize at NATSIAA in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006
and the Wandjuk Marika Memorial Three-Dimensional Award at
NATSIAA in 1996, 1997 and 2004. In 2003, John Mawurndjul
was the first Indigenous artist to be awarded the prestigious
Clemenger Contemporary Art Prize held at the National Gallery
of Victoria. Other recent achievements include the participation
of John Mawurndjul in the major public art commission for
the Musee du Quai Branly, Paris, France.
In 2004, MAC opened a retail outlet in Darwin
which focuses on affordable quality artworks from the Maningrida
region. Located on 32 Mitchell Street in Darwin CBD, MAC
Darwin has established itself as one of the best galleries
in Darwin.
|
|
[caption]
[caption]
[caption] |
Visiting MAC
MAC can be reached by unsealed road from Darwin via Jabiru
and Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) in the dry season – a distance
of approximately 500 kms. All visitors require permits,
obtained through the NLC, and if intending to visit the
art centre and Museum must notify MAC prior to lodging.
Regular flights are also available from Darwin. Dedicated
art tour operators also visit MAC.
For more information visit MAC website: www.maningrida.com
Or email staff on info@maningrida.com
For more MAC photos visit
the PhotoGallery! |
|
[caption] |
