Robert WHITSON (1962- ) Born Mortlake, Victoria Robert Whitson studied Fine Art at the University of Ballarat (now Federation University) from 1980 to 1983, returning to undertake Honours. He completed a Masters degree in 2002 at the University of Ballarat. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed artwork which forms part of the Robert Whitson's Masters folio "Sacred Landscape: An Unsettling". The project was concerned with a visial exploration of the land of the Western Plains of Victoria and the nature of 'the sacred' in the landscape. The artwork attemts to develop images of layered multiple histories, juxtaposed within the landscape. art, artwork, robert whitson, landscape, oil on paper, alumni

Walala Tjapaltjarri (b. c1960) Language: Pintupi Region: Kiwirrkuru In late 1984 Walala Tjapaltjarri and several other members of the Pintupi Tribe walked out of the remote wilderness of the Gibson Desert in Western Australia and made contact for the first time with European society. Described as 'The Lost Tribe', he and his family created international headlines. Until that day in 1984, Walala and his family lived the traditional and nomadic life of a hunter-gatherer society. Their intimate knowledge of the land, its flora and fauna and waterholes allowed them to survive, as their ancestors had for thousands of years. It is this sacred landscape, and its significant sites, that Walala so strikingly describes in his paintings. His style is generally highlighted by a series of rectangles set against a monochrome background. He paints the Tingari Cycle (a series of sacred and secret mythological song cycles) which are associated with the artist's many dreaming sites - they are Wilkinkarra, Maruwa, Tarrku, Njami and Yarrawangu, to name a few. These Dreamings are the locations of significant rockholes, sandhills, sacred mountains and water soakages in the Gibson Desert. (http://www.kateowengallery.com/artists/Wal90/Walala-Tjapaltjarri.htm, accessed 18 May 2015) Walala Tjapaltjarri started painting in 1997. His earliest works were in a classical Tingari style usually reserved for body painting, ground painting and the decoration of traditional artifacts. Within a couple of months his painting had evolved into his own innovative style of work, including the abstraction of classical Pintupi designs which resulted in a highly graphic language to speak of his country and ceremonial sites. The rectangles so prominent in his paintings form both a physical and spiritual map establishing Walala as a discerning draughtsman for his ancient country. (http://www.kateowengallery.com/artists/Wal90/Walala-Tjapaltjarri.htm, accessed 18 May 2015) This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Tingari Cycle - During the Tjukurrpa (Creation Era) Tingari ancestors beings gathered at a series of sites for Malliera (Initiation) Ceremonies. They travelled vast stretches of the country, performing rituals at specific sites that in turn created the diverse natural features of the environment. The Tingari men were accompanied by novices and usually followed by Tingari Women. The creation stories and rituals are venerated in the song cycles and ceremonies of today, forming part of the teachings of the post initiatory youths, whilst also providing explanations for contemporary customs. Walala Tjapaltjarri uses a highly personalised and minimal style to represent aspects of the sacred Tingari Cycle, an epic journey of Ancestors of the TJukurrpa (Creation Era). He paints aspects of the Tingari Cycle which are associated with the artist's many sacred sites - such as Wilkinkarra, Maruwa, Tarrku, Njami and Yarrawangu, to name a few. These are locations of significant rockholes, sandhills, sacred mountains and water soakages in the Gibson Desert. (http://www.kateowengallery.com/artists/Wal90/Walala-Tjapaltjarri.htm, accessed 18 May 2015)art, artwork, walala tjapaltjarri, aboriginal, dreaming, creation era, acrylic on linen, pintupi, kiwirrkuru, tingari, wilkinkarra, tarrku, njami, yarrawangu

Dr Deanne GILSON (1967- ) Country: Wadawurrung Deanne Gilson is a Federation University alumni, and an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist. Her practice draws its inspiration from ‘Ancestral marks’ and design on cultural objects found in museum archives and family oral histories. Deanne’s practice seeks to interrogate the colonial legacy of settlement and the western hegemonic systems of class, race and representation in historical photographs that were imposed on her Ancestors. Her work also explores the matriarchal role through her feminist perspectives, looking at the history of marriage and the oppressive function it has played within her family. Deanne has completed the following educationala achievements. 2014 – 2015 Masters by Research (Visual Art), Deakin University Geelong 2013 Graduate Diploma in Education Secondary, Federation University 2011 Certificate IV in Aboriginal Contemporary Art & Craft 2010 Cultural Heritage Management Course, Lakes Entrance 1 Week 2007 – 2010 Graduated, Bachelor of Visual Arts with Honours, University of Ballarat 1984 Diploma of Art, School of Mines & Industries TAFE This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.This work depicts an axehead found on Wadawurrung country and is a responce to workign alongside archeologists untertaking land surveys of her ancestral lands and the visual documentaiton of artefcts.art, artwork, deanne gilson, gilson, wadawurrung, stone axe, aboriginal, alumni