An Australian Indigenous art exhibition called 'Tiwi Ochres to Desert Sands' will be held at CQU Bundaberg, opening on Friday, March 31, at 5.30pm in the foyer/reception of Building 1.

The exhibits were collected by Diana Busch McNicol, whose passion for Aboriginal art was born in the early 1990s during an extraordinary six-week light aircraft flight around Australia, during which she visited many remote areas and Aboriginal communities.

The exhibition features stunning pieces of Aboriginal art which have been collected from the Tiwi Islands, Mowanjum in the Kimberley region, and Balgo Hills, Yuendumu, Papunya, Haasts Bluff and Utopia in the Central and Western deserts.

Art from the Tiwi Islands is based on ceremonial body painting and decoration, using natural ochres and creating very fine and intricate patterns.

The Central and Western Deserts art is derived from ground paintings, which are meant to be seen as a plan view of the surrounding environment.

This type of art is influenced by the hunting and foraging lifestyle of the Aborigines. The exhibition features many famous Aboriginal artists such as Kathleen Petyarre, Mitjili, Barbara Wier, Sheila Puruntatameri, Pauline Sunfly, William Sandy, Fred Tjakamarra and Donny Woolagoodja.

Mowanjum artist Donny Woolangoodja worked closely with the Sydney Olympic organising committee, SOCOG, in designing a giant form of the Wanjina Spirit 'Namaralie' for the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

This important spirit of the Worora people of the West Kimberley, and Donny’s art, was seen by billions of viewers world wide. At the CQU exhibition there will be four of Donny Woolagoodja’s works on display.

All the artwork is for sale and comes with authentication papers.

To support the local community, the Coral Coast Community Kindergarten at Burnett Heads will receive a percentage of the profits from the sale of the artwork to enhance their Early Childhood Education Program.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Complimentary light refreshments will be available. The exhibition will run until May 31. For more information on the artwork, please contact Diana Busch McNicol on 0418 720 674 or visit www.nativebuschart.com.