Jirrawun Arts facts for kids
Jirrawun Arts was a special company and art centre. It was owned by Indigenous Australians and started in 1998. The centre was located in Wyndham, Western Australia.
Jirrawun Arts became famous as a home for contemporary Indigenous Australian artists. These artists came from the eastern Kimberley region. Important artists like Paddy Bedford and Freddie Timms worked there. The centre was also seen as a great example of how to manage Indigenous art in Australia. In 2010, the owners decided to close the centre and sell its property.
How Jirrawun Arts Started
Modern Indigenous painting in the eastern Kimberley region began with a special idea from an elder named Rover Thomas. He was a senior Indigenous stockman (someone who works with cattle). Rover Thomas started painting around 1982. He became one of Australia's most important artists.
With help from art workers and advisors, like art dealer Mary Macha, Rover Thomas encouraged others to paint. Other elders who became artists included Queenie McKenzie and Freddie Timms.
Jirrawun Arts was officially founded in 1998. The idea for it came from a meeting in 1996. Artist Freddie Timms met art dealer Tony Oliver in Melbourne. Freddie Timms felt that he wasn't being paid fairly for his art. He knew his paintings were worth more than the small amount he received.
His talk with Tony Oliver led to the creation of Jirrawun Arts. It was set up as a private company. Freddie Timms was the head of its board, and Tony Oliver became the Chief Executive Officer. The main goal was to make sure artists were paid fairly. This way, they could focus on creating their beautiful paintings.
In 2003, paintings by Jirrawun Arts members were shown in an exhibition. This exhibition was called Blood on the Spinifex. It was held at the Ian Potter Museum of Art at Melbourne University.
Growth and Closure
Jirrawun Arts first helped well-known Kimberley artists. Over time, it also began to guide and support new, younger artists. The centre also acted like a helpful organisation, giving back to the community.
For example, it supported the Kununurra Youth at Risk Program. It also helped a health group called Jirrawun Health. The board of Jirrawun Arts included both Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts. The organisation also received support from the Argyle diamond mine, which is located in the region.
In 2006, Jirrawun Arts moved from Kununurra to Wyndham. There, it operated from a building specially made for it. In 2007, Jirrawun Arts was praised by an Australian Senate committee. Another Indigenous-owned arts company, Papunya Tula Artists, was also praised. The committee said these companies brought great benefits to the Indigenous community.
After the passing of artist Paddy Bedford, the owners decided to close the business. They sold its property and assets.
