'Barney Ellaga' | Reception

Barney Ellaga was a senior law man of the Alawa community in the Northern Territory. He had intimate knowledge of his traditional homelands and it is this subject, Alawa country, which his work most represents.

In a response to the land of his birth, Barney Ellaga used extraordinary colour compliments to contour Alawa terrains. His fresh and dynamic approach gave impact and power to his abstract pieces, and as a consequence his work is in high demand.

Barney Ellaga was above all else an accomplished colourist. His paintings are vibrant, pulsing fields which move with an almost incandescent, phosphorous quality. This technique created a luminous effect that has light emanating from multiple points around the canvas. 

Since the introduction of acrylic paints and canvas, Aboriginal art and design has evolved from traditional symbolism representing ceremonial ritual and story to an international phenomenon exploring the realms of contemporary abstraction. Barney mastered this introduced medium.

Sadly, Barney Ellaga passed away in August 2015.

Sofitel Brisbane Central, 249 Turbot St Brisbane (above Central Station).