Papunya Tula Artists at Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi (2007)

An exhibition that glows with the warmth of red, orange and yellow leaves on a hot autumn day.

This is a lovely exhibition, full of sunshine. The fruits of artists who can control their paint brush and paint with an assured mastery of their imagery and palette. It is a welcome change from the all too common exhibitions in Melbourne and Sydney where the primary concern is the artist's advanced age and inexperience. Many of the pieces in this exhibition are like ripe juicy fruit that delight all the senses. It should also be noted how a clever hang has been a huge influence on the impact of this show.

The main wall facing the visitor has a Makinti Napanangka at either end, with a magnificent Patrick Tjungarrayi adjacent to an expansive blazing piece by Walangkurra Napanangka. It is hardly a coincidence that both the Patrick Tjungarrayi's Tingari Men's Travel to Mylilli and the Walangkurra Napanangka The Rockhole and Cave Site of Tjintjin have a fire motif given their hot palettes of oranges, reds and yellows.

The wall furthest from Flinders Lane has at least three more wonderful pictures. The initial picture on that side wall is Ningura Naurrula's The Rockhole Site of Wirrulnga. Wirrulunga is a site associated with birthing and the shapes of pregnant bellies is subtly hinted at. Whilst not as spectrally dominant as many other works in the exhibition, its composition is splendid - three spindle like objects stretch from top to bottom and entice the viewer's eye across the painted surface.

Moving on to a handsome piece by Joseph Jurra Tjapaltjarri, a predominantly black and white work over a rusty red background. Adjacent to it is a another fine work by Tjapaltjarri with his The Soakage Site of Ngatjapirrtji. The surface is patterned with sinuous curves, much like the pattern made by scribble beetles on the bark of gum trees. On this large scale the yellow and orange patterns form a fantastic impression - the notes provided for this work state the sinuous lines in this painting depicts the bark that is yet to be made into sandals.

I think this exhibition is a wonderful pick-me-up for anyone slightly jaundiced by visiting disappointing exhibitions of indigenous art over the past few months.

The artists participating in this exhibition are:

• Doreen Reid Nakamarra
• George Tjungurrayi
• Joseph Jurra Tjapaltjarri
• Makinti Napanangka
• Naata Nungurrayi
• Ningura Napurrula
• Patrick Tjungurrayi
• Ray James Tjangala
• Walangkura Napanangka (Uta Uta Tjangala’s widow)
• Walangkura Napanangka
• Yukultji Napangati

Martin Shub, April 2007.