The Sculptures of Ataúro Island
The Sculptures of Ataúro Island will be presented by the Charles Darwin University Art Gallery in partnerships with the Timor-Leste State Secretariat of Art and Culture, and Timor Aid. The exhibition opens to the public on 16 March and continues until 15 July 2017.
The Sculptures of Ataúro Island presents both contemporary and historical sculptures from Ataúro Island, which is located 30 kilometres north of Dili, Timor-Leste.
Ataúro Island is the home to a distinctive sculptural tradition that depicts ancestor figures, sea creatures such as mermaids, mermen, fish and crocodiles, as well as masks, shields and ceremonial spoons.
In recent years Atauran sculptors have managed to retain their skill and continue this sculptural practice, albeit with contemporary innovations. This exhibition will feature sculptures from:
- National Collection of Timor-Leste, Dili
- National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
- Charles Darwin University Art Collection, Darwin Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
- Private collection of Maria do Céu Lopes da Silva
- Private collection of Michael Abbott AO QC
A short film documenting the process of sculpting, featuring master sculptor Antonio Soares, also will be presented in The Sculptures of Ataúro Island. Other films that elucidate aspects of the lifestyle of the Atauran people, such as Wawata Topu – Mermaids of Timor-Leste a film by David Palazón and Enrique Alonso and Ro’o Putin Hatin - Putin’s boat a film by Victor de Sousa, also will feature in the exhibition.
Charles Darwin University Art Gallery is pleased to produce a catalogue to accompany The Sculptures of Ataúro Island with the generous assistance of the Gordon Darling Foundation. This catalogue documents the sculptural traditions of Ataúro Island and the influences that have contributed to contemporary sculptural expressions. In addition to the works displayed in the exhibition, additional sculptures from the following cultural institutions will be featured in this forthcoming publication:
- Asian Civilization Museum, Singapore
- Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas
- Fowler Museum, UCLA, Los Angeles
- The Metropolitan Art Museum, New York
- Wallace Collection, Singapore
Image: Ancestor figurine. Artist unknown. Atauro Island, Timor-Leste, Mid-20th century. Wood, rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus), nara (AD), ai naa (T), 9.5 H x 1.5 W x 2 D cm, Private collection of Michael Abbott AO QC