Past Exhibition FLUENT: Ms N. Marawili & Leo Loomans

Is this exhibition a face-off of irreconcilable contrasts or the opportunity for two artists’ work to engage in an impromptu, unforeseen pas de deux? The artists in question are extensively represented in the superb Hassall/Milson Collection – Ms N. Marawili, a revered elder associated with Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre in Yirrkala, and Canberra-based sculptor Leo Loomans. Both artists intrigue us with their feats of linear invention. “One should always search for the desire of a line,” Henri Matisse advised – and what would be the desire of a line if not to extend, to flourish, to luxuriate, to connect, to interact, to dance? Fluency would be its ultimate objective.

FLUENT: Ms N. Marawili & Leo Loomans is curated by Terence Maloon.

This exhibition has been generously supported by Geoffrey Hassall and Virginia Milson.

Image left: Ms N. Marawili, Baratjula, 2020, natural pigments and recycled print toner on bark, 230 x 115 cm. Hassall /Milson Collection. Copyright the artist and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre.
Image right: Leo Loomans, Parsing, 2021, oiled steel, 72 x 64 x 24 cm. Courtesy the artist and Rogue Pop-up Gallery, Sydney.

Artist portrait featuring Ms N. Marawili, Madarrpa clan, Yolŋu people, Northern Territory, Australia, produced by Closer Productions for Tarnanthi 2019, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, with Principal Partner BHP and support from the Government of South Australia © Ms N. Marawili/Buku‑Larrŋgay Mulka Centre/Art Gallery of South Australia.