JASON TINKER BELONGS TO COUNTRY / MUKURRU KARIMARRA NGURRARAMARTAJI
June 2006, Newman Visitor Centre
‘This is my country. When I was little I liked looking at the colours of the land. Colours always changing. Season change too. This is mustering country – this is what my Dad used to do. My grandfather belongs to this land. He came from along the Canning Stock Route.’
Jason Tinker Belongs to Country was the inaugural exhibition by young Martu artist Jason Tinker. Jason comes from the Jigalong region, and his paintings express his connection with land, Martu culture and family. The exhibition and bi-lingual catalogue was curated and compiled by FORM’s Carly Davenport Acker. Martu Wanka translations were written by Desmond Taylor and Joshua Booth.
Belongs to Country came into being through Maggie Lewis, former manager of Newman Women’s Shelter. Maggie met Jason while he painted a mural at the shelter in 2004 and found his style and commitment inspirational. Jason produced the body of work for Belongs to Country during his time at Albany and Roebourne prisons. Maggie invited Carly to visit Jason whilst he was in jail to consult and devise how he saw his life, work and his aims for a show. Jason said that he can see and feel his country and connection to Martu land no matter where he physically is. His parents Pija Tinker and June Wilberforce guided the project.
FORM and BHP Billiton Iron Ore were honoured to contribute to realising Maggie Lewis’ wish in assisting Jason Tinker present his inaugural solo exhibition. The exhibition was part of Newman: A Creative Resource, a FORM Regional Development project devised in partnership with BHP Billiton Iron Ore and supported by the Shire of East Pilbara.
Exhibition Catalogue (DOWNLOAD)