Day 35 Saturday 12th
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Hadn't taken much into the Argus so we were out and about in good time. We did a last little drive through town and got a few basic supplies while JD got a couple of new tyres for the bikes.
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The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair was on in the convention centre. There was so much going on! Photo displays by aboriginal photographers giving a perspective little seen or captured, as many Aboriginals don't want to be photographed as they believe that the photo will steal their soul and imprison it within the film, they also want to avoid the publication or dissemination of images of a deceased person. Amazing photographic display that I really enjoyed, admired and appreciated display.
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Within the fair there were over 50 Stalls each showcasing the artist works of different aboriginal tribes, indigenous artists and Art centres from around the country.
It was fascinating! We arrived just after 10 and left around 1.30! I could have spent all day there!
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We watched and chatted to an aboriginal elder weaving a basket, she explained how she used different plants and equipment to dye the grasses (she was using many different colours) with skill and precision. She also explained where they find different colours of ochre and the use of charcoal from the mulga tree in their paintings.
She shared how she was currently teaching her young granddaughter these skills.
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After admiring many different styles of paintings, we joined a group hands on demonstration Kaeila Arts weaving and made our own grass and clay bead necklaces. The girls each created a really beautiful momento of the day.
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We were lucky enough to see some traditional dancing. Matilda even got up and joined in. A small aboriginal child in the audience was as equally entertaining and possibly even more enthusiastic and eventually found a comfortable place to watch the facing in Olivia's lap, much to her delight.
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I was determined to make a purchase, as I was still having regret not purchasing a gorgeous canvas in Alice, (the day of the salad bug incident) however many of the paintings were thousands of dollars and as JD had by this stage had left the building, I thought better of spending such substantial amount on my own. But we did however find a lovely small canvas Yajukurlu Jukurrpa (Bush Cabage Dreaming) by Glorine Nungarrayi Martin which we were equally happy with for only $100.
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Begrudgingly I was pulled from the building by hungry children and an absent husband.
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I managed to find an old bloke to interrogate/ question with much interest, he was using the burning wire sticks to create patterns onto a Mulga tree branch snake. He was happy to educate me about all sorts of Aboriginal skills and traditions. While his wife sat silently painting by his side.
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Ok!
I'm coming!!
Food! Pizza and chips! Ice cream and we finally retreated to the van and sadly said good bye to Darwin!
Fantastic few days!
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We will be back and will try to time it around the Darwin Art festival next time!
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In our usual form we left for Katherine quite a lot later than originally planned so after a 3.5 hour drive (we had a few stops for spue, bathroom and to retrieve the speaker) we arrived back at the same Katherine Big 4 just on dark, we went straight to our trusted local the Fig Tree bistro for a quick meal and then had to sort out the van, unpack bags, make beds up, and generally line up ducks, whoops should probably have thought about that! Serious Lack of enthusiasm or help from any of the smalls, so I was absolutely floored when finished I asked "who's pleased to be back in the van?" And they ALL replied "Yes!" Some albeit more convincingly than others!