ALICE SPRINGS - MELBOURNE - SYDNEY
87 TODD MALL ALICE SPRINGS 0870 AUSTRALIA
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COLIN DIXON TJAPANANGKA
Born C 1954 in Warlpiri Country at Mt Doreen station, Colin Dixon spent his early years both on Mt Doreen station and at Yuendumu, receiving some schooling in both places.
He and his wife Mary DIXON began painting for Papunya Tula Artists in the mid 80's when the company began making regular trips to Mt Leibig, a settlement about 50km north-west of Papunya, where the couple had been living for many years.
The artist's country from his fathers side lies around Tjanyinki. His principal stories are Women Dreaming, Man Dreaming, Honey Ant Dreaming and Two Young Men. His mother's country is from Pilinyanu, also west of Mt Doreen station and also Warlpiri territory.
Colin's works were included in the stockman's Hall of Fame, Longreach, Queensland and Word Expo '88 in Brisbane. Colin and his wife, Mary Dixon, sell their work through the Centre for Aboriginal Artists in Alice Springs, and a variety of other outlets as far north as Katherine, and still occasionally through Papunya Tula Artists.
Colin Dixon's work was included in an exhibition at the Gauguin Museum, Tahiti, in 1988. He also travelled to America in 1988 for the exhibition 'Central Desert Art' which opened the Caz Gallery in Los Angeles. Collections: Art Gallery of South Australia.
Collections: Art Gallery of South Australia.
In this painting titled "Water Dreaming" the artist shows us one very special ceremonial places within his groups area, that are in this case all natural springs, water of course having a very special importance for the people of a desert environment.
WATER DREAMING
Water Dreaming is a story about the constant struggle against the environment that the Aboriginal people have dealt with during their existence in this harsh land.
Whilst the circles indicate water holes, these are natural springs and may be in use all year round, sometimes the water would have to be dug for, depending on the season and these sites are where water would be found. During the wet season the springs could turn into a number of tributary type creeks. The sinuous lines formation which join these sites are underground waterways, which are abundant underneath the harsh landscape of the Central Australian Desert, ultimately linking up together under the earth. The background dotting shows us the country - A sandy desert area, where waterholes protrude from the earth, and important ceremonial sites where corroborees and ceremonies are performed.