'Kawaraldi' Workshop with Injalak Artists (West Arnhem Land)

Injalak Arts & Crafts Association is a non-profit, community owned, Aboriginal art centre located in Gunbalanya (Oenpelli), a small community situated on the western border of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, approximately 300 kilometres from Darwin.

APW Senior Printer Martin King travelled to Gunbalanya in mid-July 2022 renewing APW’s relationship with the community and marking APW’s first return visit in over 20 years.

A ‘temporary bush workshop’ at Injalak Arts centre facilitated working with the Artists in their community setting. All the printmaking materials required for the project (including lithographic plates and drawing materials) were freighted from APW to the community in advance of Martin’s arrival.

Martin was able to work closely with each of the artists individually, to teach and guide them through the lithographic process, and to assist them to realise their imagery, drawing directly on to the lithographic plates.

Their powerful images were produced using lithographic tusche that had been applied using traditional hand-made brushes skilfully made by the artists from plant materials sourced from the nearby flood plains.

The lithographic plates were packed and freighted to Melbourne, where they were processed, proofed and editioned by APW printers at the Workshop.

This talented group of artists included senior artists, who were able to work alongside several emerging artists as part of the Fellowship project. Importantly, the project also facilitated an opportunity for three women artists (perhaps better known for their textile and basket making) to work in the print medium for the first time.

APW is very proud of this project and is extremely pleased that the suite of new lithographs received such a positive response from the artists, their community and visitors to the exhibition held at APW Gallery.

The suite of twelve original lithographs was showcased in an exhibition at APW Gallery from 22 October–26 November 2022.