Faith Thompson, My Grandfather's Country, 120x90cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Faith Thompson
• Community - Ngukurr
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Ngukurr Arts Aboriginal Corporation
• Catalogue number - 725-09
• Materials - Acrylic on canvas 
• Size(cm) - H120 W90 D2  
• Postage variants - Artwork posted un-stretched and rolled for safe shipping
• Orientation - As displayed

This landscape shares my grandfather's country

Faith is a young mother living at Ngukurr – she has twin daughters and one son. She was born in Darwin and went to school at Nightcliff High School. She is the daughter of artist Maureen Marrangulu (Thompson) and artist Harold Nelson. Through her mother Faith has strong connections with Ngukurr and through her father Faith is related to the artists from Utopia. Faith’s work is reflective of the styles she has learnt through her family.

Her interpretations of country are painted in vivid acrylics onto the canvas – she shows us the changes in the seasons, the billabongs and rivers, and the way she sees the land around her.

Faith is a developing artist – she started painting at Ngukurr Arts in July 2000. Since that time her work has proved to be popular with both public and private collectors. Two of her works were purchased for the collection by NT Museum & Art Gallery, Darwin. Faith’s work has featured successfully in many collective exhibitions from Ngukurr Arts.

Ngukurr Arts Centre sits a stone’s throw from the banks of the Roper River in South East Arnhem Land. Ngukurr Arts, like the town of Ngukurr itself, is unique – bringing together people of many different clans and language groups.

There has never been one distinct school or style associated with Ngukurr Arts but what is typical of the work is boldness – the legacy of artists who have gone before, such as Ginger Riley, Gertie Huddlestone, Sambo Barra Barra and Maureen Thomson. Over time, Ngukurr artists have become renowned for their adventurous styles in interpreting stories and landscapes.

Today, artists are supported to explore new techniques. Each artist recontextualises the technique in relation to their own country and culture, to create works that are wholly unique.

In this place of many stones, diversity is a strength. Many artists of different influences work alongside each other balancing the old and the new, passing on the stories that link us all.

Text: Courtesy Ngukurr Arts Aboriginal Corporation