Leading Noongar/Yamatji artist Lance Chadd – who paints under his tribal name ‘Tjyllyungoo’ – will launch his new exhibition Kardamorda at the Forest Heritage Centre (FHC) in Dwellingup on the July 2 for the start of NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Tjyllyungoo means elder man/wisdom/law in Noongar, and the name expresses his skill in creating stunning landscapes which have been highly acclaimed in Australia, Japan and the USA.
He has painted professionally since 1981 and his works are in many collections worldwide and locally including the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Berndt Museum Collection.
Chadd has been recipient of numerous awards including the Australian Council Fellowship, the BHP Acquisitive Award for Excellence in the Noongar Country exhibition and Naidoc Artist of the year.
Chadd chose Kardamorda to title the exhibition after the Noongar word for the Darling Range region.
He grew up in Bunbury and his paintings are imbued with traditional influence through his depiction of the landscapes in his country.
Chadd is recognized internationally and his work is well received by those without a knowledge of the culture or spiritual beliefs of the Noongar people.
He paints his visions of Australia’s harsh yet fragile environment in order to iterate his affinity with the land which symbolizes his heritage and the essence of his own personal identity.
It is this very genuine and authentic emotional involvement that lends to Tjyllyungoo's paintings their special appeal and poignancy, and which renders them highly accessible to any responsive audience.
The exhibition will display some of Chadd’s finest work and is open to the public.
Exhibition opening day starts with an art workshop by Chadd in the morning and an official opening in the afternoon, and will run for three months.
The exhibition is supported by the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council.
The Forest Heritage Centre is located at 1 Acacia Road, Dwellingup, 90 minutes from Perth or 45 minutes from Mandurah.
The exhibition is one of many planned for the FHC Gallery, showcasing local indigenous artists and their stories told through art.
The FHC is a not-for-profit arts, environment and heritage centre located in an iconic leaf shaped building close to town.
It is a vibrant hub for artists to meet, learn and pass on skills in a collaborative environment.
