Kimberley Sculpture

This impressive exhibition, prepared by curator Mary Mácha, featured 61 works by more than 18 Aboriginal artists from the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The works were part of the collection owned by Lord Alistair McAlpine and were amassed over a period of 2 – 3 years. This fine collection included works made from both timber and stone. The works were all approximately life-size and displayed in purpose built cases. Kimberley Sculpture opened in Broome on September 6th 1989.

The first artist to carve stone heads in the style shown in this exhibition was Big John Dodo, a Karadjeri man. He first used his artistic skills to portray the human form in the early 1960's.

The reason Big John pursued this new direction in his work was the result of a dream-visitation, experienced by Wally Maku's father, a Karadjeri/Nyangumarta

In the visitation, a Rayi (spirit) taught Wally Maku's father a new marru (corroboree). The spirit named Walkarura also gave instructions for two human figures to be carved out of soft wood. It was Big John Dodo who was chosen to carve these figures and when shown at the conclusion of the corroboree, were a resounding success.

With this encouragement, Big John Dodo experimented further, producing heads of mud, wood and stone. John's work, like that of other Aboriginal artists featured in this exhibition, employs new styles and techniques.

Nevertheless the works retain links with the past and draw directly on the Pukarrikarra – the Dreaming.