A Secondary Eye is pleased to present this non-commercial exhibition which commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Pintupi Nine’s emergence from the Great Sandy Desert. 

Forty years ago, in October 1984, nine First Nations Australians from the Pintupi language group emerged from the desert near Kiwirrkurra, marking a significant cultural and historical moment in Australia. These “Last Nomads” were the last indigenous people to make contact with Western society and their arrival captured headlines around the world. The exhibition will explore their journey, the significance of their return to society, and the subsequent artwork that was produced by this group.

Seven of the nine members went on to paint for Papunya  Artists, who  played an important role in facilitating the devolopment and promotion of their careers.  Two members, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri and Yukultji Napangardi, have since achieved world recognition with solo-exhibitions in New York and elsewhere.  All seven artists have work represented in this exhibition.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is an artwork by Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri from the collection of the late Tim Klingender. The painting was generously included by his wife Skye Klingender who still continues Tim Klingender Fine Art in Sydney. Tim Klingender Fine Art is a welcome partner in this exhibition who also recognises the importance of this historical event. The remaining artworks were all kindly lent from clients of A Secondary Eye.

A Secondary Eye is pleased to announce its return to Sydney Contemporary for the third year. Following last year’s solo presentation of Bardi artist Roy Wiggan, and our more recent exhibition of Rover Thomas’ work in Sydney, we are excited to announce an exhibition of another important artist from the Kimberley: Queenie Nakarra McKenzie. As a fellow painter and close friend of Rover Thomas, Queenie’s work has long been overshadowed by her more famous peers – but her unique aesthetic and chromatic sensibilities deserve more recognition.  

Image above: Queenie McKenzie, Diamond Mine (Argyle), 1997 (detail)

It is with great pleasure that we present this exhibition and catalogue showcasing the extraordinary work of Queenie McKenzie at this year’s Sydney Contemporary.

A historically important artist who held a pivotal role in the formation of the East Kimberley School of Art alongside luminaries such as Rover Thomas, Paddy Jaminji, George Mung Mung, Hector Jandany and Jack Britten.

Notably, as the sole female artist in this founding group, Queenie played a defining role in shaping the aesthetic for which the Kimberley region is now renowned.

The purpose of this exhibition is to reaffirm Queenie’s enduring importance, a fact widely acknowledged by academics, artists, collectors, and institutions so it is important to have that recognised in the wider market

Image above: Queenie McKenzie, Untitled, 1998 (detail)

A Secondary Eye is pleased to announce the third exhibition in our Sydney space, which will bring together two of Australia’s most sought-after contemporary artists: Ben Quilty and Del Kathryn Barton. The two artists have never been the subject of a two-person exhibition together, and despite his acclaim Ben Quilty has not had a solo exhibition at a Sydney gallery since 2010 (other than his retrospective at the AGNSW in 2019). The exhibition will include Ben Quilty paintings spanning 2004-2014, and Del Kathryn Barton painting and sculptures.

Image above: Ben Quilty, Jim Morrison was here, 2014 and Del Kathryn Barton, of her own nature, 2022

A Secondary Eye is pleased to announce the third exhibition in our Sydney space, which will bring together two of Australia’s most sought-after contemporary artists: Ben Quilty and Del Kathryn Barton. The two artists have never been the subject of a two-person exhibition together, and despite his acclaim Ben Quilty has not had a solo exhibition at a Sydney gallery since 2010 (other than his retrospective at the AGNSW in 2019). The exhibition will include Ben Quilty paintings spanning 2004-2014, and Del Kathryn Barton painting and sculptures.

Image above: Ben Quilty, Jim Morrison was here, 2014 and Del Kathryn Barton, of her own nature, 2022

A Secondary Eye is pleased to announce the second exhibition at its gallery in Sydney. Cleaning Up History, titled after one of the works by Judy Watson that is included, presents the work of influential contemporary First Nations artists whose work explores a wide variety of media. Featured in the exhibition are works by Michael Cook, Daniel Boyd, Brook Andrew, Judy Watson, Fiona Foley and Trevor Nickolls.

Above: Fiona Foley, listening springs, 1991 (detail)