New Aboriginal Artist Shines Spotlight on the
Flinders Ranges in South Australia
The Exhibition: Songlines XXX: Adnyamathanha Yarta, Damien Coulthard
Friday 12 October – Saturday 24 November 2018
Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, 2a Conway St, Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6BA
https://www.rebeccahossack.com/exhibitions/263/overview/ https://www.instagram.com/damiencoulthard/
Background: 2018 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery in London. Over the course of three decades the gallery has built an international reputation for innovation and excellence. At the heart of this achievement has been a commitment to non-Western artistic traditions, and particularly to Australian aboriginal art. The gallery’s annual Songlines seasons have introduced many of the leading aboriginal artists to a British and European audience.
This year’s Songlines season opens with an exhibition of work by new Adnyamathanha artist, Damien Coulthard. Coulthard’s paintings draw on the stories and oral histories of the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia told by his great-grandmother and documented in the seminal volume, Flinders Ranges Dreaming, a book that is, coincidentally, also thirty years old this year.
Using natural ochres gathered with his father from his ancestral Adnyamathanha land, Coulthard creates images of great formal beauty that traverse the topics of creation, landscape, kinship, initiation and food-gathering.
Damien’s passion for the Flinders Ranges, and his stunning new works, are shining a spotlight on this outback region of South Australia, a five-hour drive north from the vineyard city of Adelaide. Here are five fantastic ways to experience the Flinders Ranges in 2019.
Ocean to Outback Drive – The Explorers Way
Australia is known for its incredible road trips and this five-hour easy drive on sealed roads from the vineyard city of Adelaide is one of the country’s best. After spending time enjoying the beaches of Adelaide, head north to the wineries of the Clare Valley. Cycle the Riesling Trail, enjoy a long vineyard lunch, explore the cellar doors and bed down for the night at a winery sleepover. The next day head continue north along the Explorers Way to the Flinders Ranges for an outback paradise that needs to be seen to be believed. To continue the adventure, head north through the opal mining town of Coober Pedy and on up to Alice Springs.
https://www.southaustralia.com/travel-blog/explorers-way-road-trip
Scenic Flight over Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound is an astonishing 800 million-year-old natural amphitheatre in the Flinders Ranges. Take to the skies to appreciate the true majesty of this natural wonder, before pulling on the boots for bush walks and fossil hunting amongst the many emus and kangaroos that call this special place home.
https://www.southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges/tour/air-wilpena
Heli-Swag at Arkaba Conservancy
Arkaba Conservancy, one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, is now offering a new heli-swag adventure. You begin with a 30-minute flight over the 60,000 acre private wildlife conservancy and Wilpena Pound, before landing at an exclusive swag camp for a full bush dinner served under the stars. After sleeping in a cosy swag under the Milky Way you’ll enjoy a two-hour safari drive to view the best of the morning wildlife before enjoying a beautiful brunch back at the homestead.
https://www.arkabaconservancy.com/helicopter-series/
Rawnsley Park Station 4WD Discovery Tours
4WD Rawnsley Park Station Discovery Tours take in some of the most spectacular scenery of the Flinders Ranges, and showcase the wildlife, geology and history of the region. Half day, full day, and Sunset on the Chase tours are available. Staying at Rawnsley Park Station is a special experience and owners Tony and Julie Smith are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate hosts, as the station has been in the family since 1953.
https://www.rawnsleypark.com.au/
Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Wilpena Pound Resort
Adnyamathanha guides at Wilpena Pound Resort deliver unique and memorable Aboriginal experiences to visitors to the Flinders Ranges. The Yura Udnyu walking tour (“yura” being the name for Adnyamathanha people and “udnyu” meaning white) to Old Wilpena Station and the Ikara monument, covers the intertwining histories of both cultures. Learn about the diversity of the land, native animals, native bush-tucker, and uncover the rich history and mystique of ancient and contemporary Aboriginal culture. https://www.southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges/tour/aboriginal-cultural-tours-wilpena-pound-resort
For more information on the Flinders Ranges, and the many tours you can enjoy, click here.
To plan your Australian holiday in 2019 starting in the vineyard city of Adelaide and exploring the food, wine, wildlife, beaches and outback of South Australia visit www.southaustralia.com
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