Place Of Stones

Place of Stones is a stunning retrospective exhibition from the late Aboriginal artist, Barney Ellaga, on show at Mitchell Fine Art, Fortitude Valley.

Ellaga was a senior law man and the last remaining song man of the Alawa people, who lived in the community of Minyerri in Southern Arnhem Land until he passed away late last year. Place of Stones portrays the stories of his country and his ancestors – both maternal and paternal Dreamings – in the striking and colourful works. The exhibition has never before been exhibited in its entirety, with the most recent work having been done in 2004.

Mitchell Fine Art Director, Mike Mitchell, is proud to present Ellaga’s exhibition, saying, “Barney was a leader in developing a style of art that is now considered distinct for this area. He was an innovator and wildly extravagant in his use of colour and imagery.”

Mitchell should know as he and the artist worked together in the Northern Territory from 2000 to 2004 after Ellaga worked as a stockman with Mitchell’s older brother in the 1980s. In fact, the art gallery was previously known as Muk Muk Fine Art, with the Muk Muk, or Night Owl, being a primary subject of Ellaga’s and the gallery being named in honour of this connection.

Ellaga is renowned for his contemporary abstraction working in harmony with more traditional Aboriginal methods, and his works are on show in the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.

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By Vicki Englund

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