– MAUREEN POULSON NAPANGARDI, 2018
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAPUNYA TJUPI
artists
At SALON Art Projects, our expertise and energy goes towards presenting the best quality Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art to our audience, both in Australia and overseas.
At the heart of this objective is our connection to the communities we work with, and our relationships with the art centres and artists we represent. Together, Matt Ward and Paul Johnstone have two decades of engagement with Indigenous Australia. The depth and strength of this history, is intrinsic to the quality of artwork accessed by SALON Art Projects for representation in its exhibition program.
“We have been working with Art Centres for a long time. Supporting the Art Centres. Supporting the Art Centre model is integral to sourcing good quality artwork, and doing the right thing by the artists and communities. Not only that – but it is something Paul and I find extremely rewarding.”
SALON Art Projects represents over 150 artists, working through more than 20 Art Centres. Largely, these Art Centres are based in Central Australia, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands and Northern Australia, covering a vast, colourful and majestic land.
The represented artist's paint stories connected to their country, community and culture. Some of these stories are hidden or secret, while others are available for the public. Works exhibited and sold through SALON Art Projects are professionally documented by the Art Centre managers. For buyers, this is an important part of ensuring the artwork is authentic and has been ethically sourced.
Tilau Nangala painting in the art centre at Papunya Tjupi. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAPUNYA TJUPI
art centres
Supporting art from art centres ensures that fair work practices are maintained. Through many years of direct experience with artists, their art centres and community engagement, SALON Art Projects observes a high ethical standard.
“We have always taken the approach that the best work comes from a place where the artists are happy, painting on country, and empowered to govern and operate their Art Centres as they see fit.”
Candy Nelson Nakamarra work in progress, 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAPUNYA TJUPI
project partners
SALON Art Projects is proud to have relationships with the following organisations, all of which help strengthen the industry and invest in the preservation of culture and community:
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT)
