Late artist’s work crossesborder for public debut

His name was synonymous with art in the Pilbara and now the genius works of the late Nyaparu Gardiner are set to be unveiled to the public for the first time.

Pieces created by the renowned painter, known to many as William, will be displayed at the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Tarnathi exhibition, which opens this Friday.

The Nyangumarta man was one of more than 100 artists who brought their creativity to life at South Hedland’s Spinifex Hill Studios, a venue he dedicated much of his life to until his death last year.

The exhibition, titled The Ballad of Billy Gardiner, will feature 14 of his drawings and paintings, detailing aspects of his life across the Pilbara and Kimberley, as well as the rich history of the Nyangumarta people.

Former SHS manager Greg Taylor, who worked with Mr Gardiner, said his contributions to the exhibition would be a showcase of the remarkable years of his life.

“For Gardiner, who created almost all of his life’s work at Spinifex Hill Studios between 2014 and 2018, this aesthetic was developed, refined and eventually flourished as appreciation and recognition for his art grew,” he said.

Emerging talent Layne Dhu-Dickie is also set to have works feature in the exhibition.