The Blanasi Collection is one of the finest examples of West Arnhem Art anywhere in Australia.
In 1996, senior Beswick/Wugularr artists and elders, led by internationally renowned “didjeridu master” David Blanasi, conceived the idea of putting together a special collection of works to be called “Gunwinjgu” or “the Company of People”. This collection would showcase and celebrate the strength of indigenous culture in the area. It was to be kept together as a collection for future generations.
In early 1998 Beswick was hit by severe floods. Some of the works making up the collection were already in Darwin by that time, but some of the originally envisioned works (50 or more) were lost or destroyed. The surviving 39 works that make up the Collection today were crated at the Museum and Art Gallery NT in Darwin, in preparation for exhibition touring. In September 2001 David Blanasi went missing and his disappearance remains a mystery. Shortly after this The Fred Hollows Foundation assisted the community to place the Collection in safe storage in Darwin, where it remained for five years. The community of Beswick/Wugularr decided to bring back the Collection in 2007, to be permanently housed at Ghunmarn Culture Centre, as a cultural heritage collection for the community, and as a way of sharing culture with others, in accordance with the original intentions of the old masters.
Buy Fine Reproduction Prints from the Blanasi Collection
The original works on canvas will never be sold, but fine reproduction prints of 20 of the works are available for just $140 per print. Printed on 100-year, acid-free archive paper these beautiful reproductions are of the highest quality and come with the story printed on the lower panel. You can also purchase a full colour catalogue of the entire Collection for $15. Proceeds from these sales are paid to The Blanasi Trust, to assist with the ongoing care of this incredible Collection.
Catalogue – FINE PRINTS FROM THE BLANASI COLLECTION
Prints from the Blanasi Collection:
$140 plus postage $20 (Aust), $30 (O/S) – tube
To order a print, please fill out this form and we’ll get back to you with more details.
