Past Exhibition Western Desert Sublime – The Craig Edwards Gift to the ANU

In 1994 the Canberra solicitor (and graduate of the ANU) Craig Edwards bought his first painting by an indigenous artist. Over the next two decades he amassed an enormous collection of Western Desert paintings, and he has donated 120 paintings to the University’s art collection – the largest benefaction of its kind ever received. Many of the paintings are on a heroic scale and strike the keynote of “the Western Desert Sublime”, consisting of infinitudes of dots crowding vast, palpitating colour-fields. Certain artists are represented in depth in the Edwards collection.

This exhibition features major works by Queenie McKenzie, Yinarupa Gibson Nangala, Esther Giles Nampitjinpa, Kayi Kayi Nampitjinpa (Barbara Reid Napangarti), Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa (Mrs Bennett), Tjawina Porter Nampitjinpa, Linda Syddick Napaltjarri, Lorna Ward Napanangka, Dorothy Napangardi, Nyungawarra Ward Napurrula, Ningura Napurrula, Jorna Newberry, Mel Yamba Nungurrayi, Naata Nungurrayi, Nancy Ross Nungurrayi, Tiger Palpatja, Ray James Tjangala, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Pinta Pinta Tjapanangka, Wimmitji Tjapangati, George Tjungurrayi, and Yannima Pikarli Tommy Watson.

18 October – 16 December 2018

“This landmark gift of art given by Craig Edwards to the Australian National University is the most valuable donation of its kind received by an Australian university to date. These paintings will make a huge contribution in defining the whole tenor of the University environment.” – Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS.