Artist Ken Thaiday Sr. will speak about his work on Friday, July 10 at 7:00 pm at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection. Thaiday was born on Erub (Darnley) Island in the Torres Strait in 1950. He learned the importance of traditional dance from his father. In 1987, Thaiday began making dance artifacts which have evolved over time into elaborate ‘dance machines’ with moveable parts. He is known for his beizams – shark dance headdresses, which are controlled by a string and pulley system, enabling the dancer to open and close the shark’s jaws. Thaiday uses various materials in the construction of a headdress including bamboo, plywood, plastic, and feathers.
Thaiday’s work is highly prized by museums and collectors. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions throughout Australia, the South Pacific, India, Denmark, Germany and the US. He is represented in the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, National Museum of Victoria, Queensland Art Gallery, Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory and many private collections.
Thaiday is travelling in the US with his wife, Liz, and Michael Kershaw, Director of the Australian Art Print Network. Earlier in the week, Thaiday will present a Black Hammerhead Shark headdress to the Embassy of Australia in Washington DC.
Following the lecture there will be a reception for the Thaidays and Kershaw. The lecture is free and open to the public but reservations are required. To request a reservation call 434-244-0234 or contact us online. The Kluge-Ruhe Collection will contact you to confirm your reservation.
The Kluge-Ruhe Collection will offer an art program for children ages 7 – 11 on Saturday, June 20 at 2:30 pm. Criss-cross Bark Painting will begin by looking at bark art in the current exhibit, Timeless: Bark Paintings from Arnhem Land. Then participants will prepare and paint their own “bark” using the techniques employed by Aboriginal artists. All materials will be supplied by the Kluge-Ruhe Collection.
Our programs for children are free and open to the public but reservations are required. Make a reservation online or phone us at 434 244-0234.
Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow, a birdwatching/ natural history guide and Indigenous tourism consultant from the Northern Territory, will give a lecture at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection on Friday, May 29 at 7:00 pm. Goodfellow will speak on Birds, Mermaid Spirits and Little Daddies: The Kunwinjku people of Western Arnhem Land, Australia.
A long time resident of Australia’s “Top End,” Goodfellow ran for a seat on Darwin City Council in 1981 in an attempt to preserve the mangrove habitat of Darwin Harbour, an area rich in plants, birds and other wildlife. She became involved with local Aboriginal people after accepting an invitation from a senior woman to catch a snake. After four hours wading through a crocodile infested lake, Goodfellow succeeded in catching a Water Python. As a result, Goodfellow was given an Aboriginal name and “Dreamings” including that of Yawk Yawk and Estuarine Crocodile. Thus began a long association with Goodfellow’s indigenous family.
Goodfellow has worked many years as a birdwatching/natural history guide in Kakadu National Park and throughout the Top End. She carried out fauna surveys across the remote northwestern part of Australia and is a frequent lecturer on Australian birds and Aboriginal perspectives, and marsupial biology at the University of New South Wales. Goodfellow has been an advisor on the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Aboriginal Australia. She has written a number of articles and books including Birds of Australia’s Top End and her autobiography, Quiet Snake Dreaming.
Goodfellow’s lecture is free and open to the public but reservations are required. Make a reservation online or phone us at 434 244-0234.
