17 August 2023
Parliament was honoured to host the Kimberley Women art exhibition launch last week, with the exhibition currently on display in the Edith Cowan Gallery.
Kimberley Women is a celebration of the work of late Aboriginal artists Loongkoonan, Lucy Ward and Peggy Wassi. These artists have been selected to show in many of the most prestigious art prizes in Australia, with their works seen throughout Australia and internationally, as well as being held in major public and private collections.
During their long lives, they witnessed life in the Kimberley change dramatically around them. By painting through Manambarra Aboriginal Artists, they were able to transfer their knowledge to canvas and paper for future generations, recording a vast resource of information on Kimberley life, Law and Country. Their paintings offer a privileged insight into their profound understanding of the Country of their ancestors.
During the launch, Hon Michelle Roberts MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, invited Ingrid Cumming to perform her moving Welcome to Country. Ingrid shared that the "power and energy of women is very powerful in this beautiful place".
The artworks are on generous loan from Mossenson Galleries, with Hon Alanna Clohesy MLC, President of the Legislative Council, thanking gallery owners Dr Diane Mossenson and Dan Mossenson during the launch.
You are invited to view this incredible collection during one of our free public art tours:
https://bit.ly/PoWAArtTour