CooeeArt Since 1981

exhibition Songlines Coo-ee Christmas

From 24th November to 22nd December 2012

Get a Gift - Give a Gift

Songlines Coo-ee Christmas

Get a Gift - Give a Gift

Opening Saturday 24th of November at 3pm
24th November - 22nd December 2012

Participating Art Centers:
Ngaruwanajirri Tiwi Artists
Warnayaka Art Centre
Warlukurlungu Artists
Papunya Tjupi Arts
Iwantja Arts
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
Kalumburu Artists
Bula Bula Arts
Artists of Ampilatwatja
Tangentyere Artists

Songlines are paths across the land or the sky which mark the route followed by localised 'creator-beings' during the Dreaming. The paths of the songlines are recorded in traditional songs, stories, dance, and painting.

A knowledgeable person is able to navigate across the land by repeating the words of the song, which describe the location of landmarks, waterholes, and other natural phenomena. In some cases, the paths of the creator-beings are said to be evident from their marks, or petrosomatoglyphs, on the land, such as large depressions in the land which are said to be their footprints.

By singing the songs in the appropriate sequence, Indigenous people could navigate vast distances, often travelling through the deserts of Australia's interior. The continent of Australia contains an extensive system of songlines, some of which are of a few kilometres, whilst others traverse hundreds of kilometres through lands of many different Indigenous peoples who may speak markedly different languages and have different cultural traditions.

Since a songline can span the lands of several different language groups, different parts of the song are said to be in those different languages. Languages are not a barrier because the melodic contour of the song describes the nature of the land over which the song passes. The rhythm is what is crucial to understanding the song. Listening to the song of the land is the same as walking on this songline and observing the land.

In some cases, a songline has a particular direction, and walking the wrong way along a songline may be a sacrilegious act (e.g. climbing up Uluru where the correct direction is down). Traditional Aboriginal people regard all land as sacred, and the songs must be continually sung to keep the land "alive".

Interested in Buying a Christmas Work?

Due to the positive response we have received for this show over the last few years, we have kept our buying policy. To keep it fair, the works will be available from 3pm Saturday the 24th November and not before. So first in, best dressed! If you are unable to make the exhibition opening, simply register your interest via email info@cooeeart.com.au or call +61 2 9300 9200. Please send through a 'wish list' of works in preference order and specify how many works in total you want. We will endeavour to get you the works of your choosing but are unable to guarantee this. This exhibition is designed to be a bit of fun for Christmas so i hope you enjoy it. The works will sell out quickly so be sure to get in first.

Merry Christmas from the team here at Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery!!!

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Artist Name

Kira Kiro, Kulalar, Wadja & Yulu by Mary Punchi Clement

Kira Kiro, Kulalar, Wadja & Yulu - 2012
Mary Punchi Clement 1

35 x 46 cm
#11106
SOLD

Early Morning Hunting by Betty Bundamurra

Early Morning Hunting - 2012
Betty Bundamurra 9

35.5 x 45.5 cm
#11090
SOLD

Jilamara - 2012
Estelle Munkanome 4

35 x 45 cm
#11058
SOLD

Garany - 2011
Phyllis Ningamara

30 x 40 cm
#10434
SOLD

Jilamara - 2012
Lorna Kantilla 2

35 x 45 cm
#11055
SOLD

Jilamara - 2012
Lorna Kantilla 2

35 x 45 cm
#11056
SOLD

Jilamara - 2012
Lorna Kantilla 2

35 x 45 cm
#11057
SOLD

Jilamara - 2012
Estelle Munkanome 4

23 x 30.5 cm
#11049
SOLD

Tini III - 2011
Alexandrina Kantilla 5

30.5 x 40.6 cm
#10372 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$290.00

Bush Medicine - 2012
Phyllis Ningamara

23 x 30 cm
#11109
SOLD

The Woorrewoorrem - 2012
Phyllis Ningamara

23 x 30 cm
#11110
SOLD

Ngoonborliny - 2012
Phyllis Ningamara

23 x 30 cm
#11115
SOLD

From the Past to the Present by Mary Punchi Clement

From the Past to the Present - 2012
Mary Punchi Clement 1

23 x 30 cm
#11089
SOLD

Seed Dreaming - 2012
Rosie Tasman Naparrula 16

35.5 x 45.5 cm
#10969 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$280.00

Pukamani Ploes - 2012
Lillian Kerinaiua 10

23 x 30.5 cm
#11051 LOCATION: Bondi Beach
$280.00

Song Line - 2012
Mary Brumby

35 x 45 cm
#10895
SOLD