Madigan Thomas |
 Madigan is the epitome of a strong Kitja Law woman. Born on Violet Valley Station just south of Warmun, she has always been a worker. As a child, she assisted the women with yard and domestic duties around the station, and learnt from her elders the very depths of her culture which remain with her today. On moving to reside on Mabel Downs Station after Violet Valley became an outstation (her son Bruce has now converted Violet Valley (Baulah-Wah) back to a working cattle station), she assisted her husband Sandy, who was a stockman. Madigan rode with the men, mustered the cattle and undoubtedly kept up with the best. She educated her children whilst living in Wyndham and gave them the benefit of higher education demonstrating how astute this lady is she knew the importance of this and her children have succeeded, with Ethel becoming a teacher and later C.E.O. of Warmun Community, her son was the former Chairperson of Warmun Community, her eldest daughter, Shirley Purdie, a famous artist in her mothers footsteps is now the present Chairperson of Warmun, and in turn Madigans grandchildren are succeeding in their chosen professions. Madigan and Sandys community is Violet Valley, her home country and, whilst living at Warmun Community with Shirley, spend as much time as possible at Violet Valley. When Madigan paints her home country, the works are invariably softer than her often strong style, and one can only assume that here is where she relaxes. She is a strong woman speaks her mind freely and directly still believes in her Traditional womans law, particularly in relation to young girls she demands respect and it is given freely. The 1970s saw the establishment of the womens painting movement ..championed by Queenie McKenzie and Madigan Thomas. These two women are mentioned very often in the same context as Rover Thomas and Jack Britten. Madigans style is wide and varied from delicately dotted landscapes to vivid angry black lines of the opencut diamond mine on the Womens Sacred Site, to extremely clever sketch paintings of animals like Jack Britten and all great artists, Madigan can sketch Kartiya (whiteman) style. It has been written that Madigans style of painting is characterised by various pathways and dreaming tracks that meander through the painting. To view the paintings aesthetically they are flowing, sometimes simplistic and sometimes detailed; however, they invariably portray or show the whole story. Madigan has participated in many exhibitions and was a finalist in the 1994 National Aboriginal Art Award, her paintings are much sought after and she is never seen to produce other than a really excellent piece of art. Madigan is considered by many experts as one of the most important contemporary painters of our time. SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 1994 Finalist, Eleventh National Aboriginal Art Award Exhibition, Museum and Art Gallery of the NT, Darwin 1995 Paintings by Warmun Women, Kingston, A.C.T. Paintings by Warmun Women, AGOG, Canberra 1996 Figures in the Land, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne 2001 Kintolai Gallery, Adelaide 2003 True Stories, Art of the East Kimberley, Art Gallery of NSW Framed Gallery, Darwin 2004 Woolooongabba Gallery, Brisbane 2005 Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne 2007 Back To The Board, Coo-ee Gallery, Sydney Solo Exhibition, Seva Frangos Art, Perth Ralph Pucci International Gallery, New York (in association with Cross Cultural Art Exchange, Darwin) COLLECTIONS Parliament House Collection Art Gallery of New South Wales Art Gallery of Western Australia Darwin Museum and Art Gallery Prestigious Private and Corporate Collections within Australia and world-wide. BIBLIOGRAPHY S. McCulloch, Contemporary Aboriginal Art, A guide to the rebirth of an ancient Culture Allen & Unwin 1999 Digging Stick to Writing Sticks, Stories of Kitja Women  Madigan with her husband Sandy Thomas, Artlandish Gallery, 2007 |
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
One of the unique skills Artists from the Kimberely region possess is the ability to mix the natural ochre pigments to create truly spectacular colours, shadings and effects that give ochre artworks a uniqueness unseen in any other style of art anywhere in the world.
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I wanted to send on an enormous thank you to your family and its business.
I picked up the painting today from the framers, it is absolutely mesmerising.
Thanks for making the purchase of this beautiful artwork possible.
All the best to you, I hope your business prospers and thrives.
Should we consider another purchase in the coming years we will look you up,
and you will be highly recommended to anyone else we know who is interested in Aboriginal art.
Nyree, VIC
I received Deanne Peters's work today in the post.
This is the first ever piece of art that I have bought let alone through the Internet.
I love it. I appreciated the opportunity to buy a piece that I work afford within my
budget and I think it is a great idea to produce smaller pieces.
Now I just have to start saving for another.
Amanda, Ireland
Thanks so much. Ms Peter's work is absolutely beautiful.
I must stop looking at the website.
I'll run out of wall space!
Louise, ACT
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paintings, and will let you know when they arrive.
Thanks so much for the kind friendly manner in which you have been with me,
I appreciate that.
Karen, UK
Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to receive Helen’s Water Dreaming.
I like the drawing and the colours a lot. Christopher Churchill’s Desert Nights is my favourite picture.
Often I pass by, have a look at it and smile. It is a very special picture for me.
Ursula, Switzerland
Just wanted to let you know I received my lovely painting.
Please pass on my thanks to Jeannie.
It's absolutely beautiful!
Lindy, VIC
Paintings arrived on Wednesday and they are great!
Thanks for your help.
Nathan, Canada
The two Alan Griffiths paintings arrived safely today.
So well packed. Thank you for dispatching them so punctually.
We are thrilled with them and currently debating wall alternatives.
Axel, NSW
My picture arrived this morning!!
It is quite wonderful.
Thank you so much for sending it.
Missing your red earth and sun.
Jill, UK
This is to let you know that the two
paintings by Churchill Cann and
Charlene Carrington arrived home safely
and in good condition.
They look beautiful on our walls.
Should you happen to see Churchill and
Charlene we would be very grateful if
you would thank them and let them know
how much we admire and respect their work.
Bill and Margo, ACT
The artworks have arrived.
All pieces are just beautiful.
Thank you very much.
Meg, UK
We recently purchased “Wild
Passionfruit and Tomato” by Margaret
Davis Kemarre during our visit to
your gallery in Kununurra. It was
delivered to our home in Sydney
last week. We just wanted to let you
know it had arrived safely and that
we are very happy with our purchase.
Thank you for your assistance.
Philip and Elizabeth, NSW
Just wanted to let you know that I've
received my art piece.I'm thrilled.
I appreciate the photo of Cindy & bio.
It makes it much more personal....
It's like I've met Cindy.
Give her my thanks and her willingness
to share her talent and vision.
Walt, USA
I've been meaning to send you a note to say thank you and we're very happy.
The painting arrived quickly and it's up on the wall and looks great.
Cathy, NSW
Just to let you know the artwork was well received today,
and I am very pleased with it.
Thanks again for your excellent service.
Lene, Denmark
The most beautiful Kudditji painting has arrived this morning, it is so magnificent.
It took my breath away!! Thank you very much.
Karen, NSW
I received my beautiful Bush Leaves canvas by Jeannie Petyarre last week.
I bought it on a very rushed visit to Kununurra enroute from Warmun to Darwin.
The minute I saw it I knew it was what I had been looking for.
It is at the framers now for stretching onto a frame. I can not wait to hang it in my home.
Thank you so much for getting it to me in such good condition.
I'm so glad I popped into your gallery for what I said would be a "quick walk through.
Luckily my friend in Warmun had said "make sure you go to Artlandish".
Having had the opportunity to spend time in an indigenous community
I feel blessed to have such a beautiful artwork.
Please place me on your mailing list.
Best wishes
Sue
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