Artist Niah Mcleod is opening a fresh exhibition at China Heights Gallery from this Friday, May 6th, drawing on her love of language as inspiration for the paintings. Titled Murnawar Doonoochnggul – meaning Daughter of the Owl – the collection of work is on display through to June 5.
An artist of Yuin, wandandian and Monero decent, pieces are awash with raw, earthy tones. McLeod’s work is intuitive based, working on moments and feeling, something she has likened to a meditative process leaving viewers to be hypnotised by her intricate and precise detailing. The basis of the exhibit is formed on a love of her language – Monero, Ngarigu and Dhurga – alongside the deep connection and belonging stemming from learning language with her two children.
McLeod stated how her son was intimately involved in the crafting of selected pieces, tying together the connection she has with her family directly with her work.
“It felt right that my 3-year-old son gave a literal helping hand in the telling of these stories in paint,” explained McLeod. “Although they are, for me, a new series of paintings, the more I painted, the more I felt the oldness of these stories, my stories, and my belonging to them.”
Pieces featured in the exhibition include painted emu eggs in shades of yellow, sage and charcoal with dot painted details across the shell, alongside striped patterning in contrasting colour to the egg’s background. Accompanying the emu eggs are acrylic on canvas pieces, including Gupu Dreaming, a vibrant piece of work featuring intricate detailing in yellow and blue colouring. The piece immediately brings to mind a river an tributaries in a vast, unrelenting landscape.
The Murnawar Doonoochnggul Niah McLeod exhibition opens Friday, May 6 continuing through to June 5. The exhibition is open 12pm – 5pm or by appointment at China Heights Gallery, 16/28 Foster Street, Surry Hills, 2010.