Touring exhibition celebrates the remarkable life and work of one of the most iconic artists to emerge from Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this media release contains the image, name and stories of an Aboriginal man who has passed away. Mr. Gardiner’s family has approved the use of his name and image in recognition and celebration of the artistic significance of his work.)
FORM Building a State of Creativity in partnership with Spinifex Hill Studio, the South Hedland art centre managed by FORM, is honoured to present He is Myself: The Art of Nyaparu (William) Gardiner, opening at Spinifex Hill Project Space on Thursday 14 July.
A proud Nyangumarta/Warnman/
In a joint statement members* of Mr. Gardiner’s family said, “Our ‘Old Man’ was kind, happy and he loved to laugh with us. More than anything, he wanted us to have an easier life than him, he wanted us to do the things that we enjoyed, and he wanted our happiness. He gave us a foundation and showed us how to be in this world, and we will pass it onto our children.
“This exhibition is another way to keep his legacy going, and we are very proud to share his story with you.”
Featuring over 50 artworks, including some never seen before, He is Myself is a retrospective of the nationally-acclaimed body of work Mr. Gardiner created from South Hedland’s Spinifex Hill Studio.
FORM’s Senior Curator Andrew Nicholls explained, “While Mr. Gardiner first began drawing as a young man, it wasn’t until after he retired and in the final years of his life that his life-long passion for art found its full creative expression. Between 2015 and 2018 he produced more than 350 works chronicling his memories of his early life working on the land, and his affection and respect for the Aboriginal men who laboured beside him.”
Of the long-awaited opening, Spinifex Hill Studio Manager Faraday Boydell said, “He is Myself honours the work and cultural legacy of one of Spinifex Hill Studio’s most prolific and much-loved artists, so it’s fitting to have the exhibition open in Mr. Gardiner’s hometown at Spinifex Hill Project Space. Here we can celebrate Mr. Gardiner’s life with his family, the Spinifex Hill Artists who worked alongside him and the local community, before the exhibition embarks on its tour.”
After its showing at Spinifex Hill Project Space, the exhibition will tour the State through ART ON THE MOVE.
“ART ON THE MOVE is Western Australia’s only organisation dedicated to touring contemporary visual art exhibitions throughout the regions, interstate and beyond. Our work explores the connections between art and place, bringing together and inspiring diverse communities. We are proud to partner with FORM to present the tour of He is Myself. Mr Gardiner’s immersive and emotionally resonant work will enable a broad audience to access an important chapter of the Western Australian story,” said Dr Theo Costantino, Executive Director of ART ON THE MOVE.
He is Myself: The Art of (William) Gardiner is an outcome of the broader landmark Tracks We Share project, and will be accompanied by a publication, short film and learning resource. The exhibition will be on display at Spinifex Hill Project Space 14 July – 1 September 2022, before showing at FORM’s metropolitan gallery The Goods Shed later in the year, and a series of regional galleries throughout 2023 and 2024.
Quotes from Mr. Gardiner about his work:
“Doing these paintings is how I remember our old people. These pictures I’m showing you are from my memories. It’s a hard life in those days and we had to change a lot in this life,” – Mr. Gardiner
“When someone is dead and gone, you can’t always tell the story or call his name. I got all these old people up there in my mind. Our culture and language is strong up there too. Yeah, I have some worries. I think of some of my old people. We can’t forget them. The old people, the law and culture they put us through, my paintings are about remembering them now they passed away.” – Mr. Gardiner
*Nyangulya Katie Nalgood, Jason Nalgood, Zenith Gardiner, Sheila Gardiner, Crystal Gardiner, Jacqueline Gardiner, Gideon Gardiner, Lawrence Bina, Natalia Mulligan and Johnny Willalang.
