Art gallery shrugs off opening blues

Visitors have lavished praise on Newman’s Martumili art gallery and helped the Shire of East Pilbara overcome its blushes at failing to open the facility in time for last weekend’s launch.

The Shire had planned to open the impressive $8 million East Pilbara Art Centre and Martumili Gallery with a lively ceremony last Friday attended by State politicians, BHP Billiton big-wigs and musician Archie Roach.

However, Shire chief executive Allen Cooper said a burst water pipe and project delays had forced organisers to cancel the launch at the last minute.

“It was unforeseen, there was a broken pipe and we didn’t want to risk … opening the art centre prior to it being totally ready, ” he said.

“We will look forward to the opening at another time and once we are comfortable everything is ready to go we will open it to the public.”

The delay partially overshadowed a facility which otherwise drew plaudits from those who visited last weekend for a community night held at the neighbouring oval.

Designed as a community space as well as gallery and studio for East Pilbara’s famous Martumili Artists collective, the centre features a big events area, commercial kitchen and office and meeting rooms.

Mr Cooper said the BHP Billiton, Pilbara Development Commission and Lotterywest-funded building, in addition to exhibiting paintings, could be used for events ranging from community movie screenings and markets to concerts.

“There is nothing like this in the Pilbara ... it is an awesome space, ” he said.

Martumili artist Judith Samson said she expected artists from Punmu, Parnngurr, Jigalong, Nullagine, Warralong and Parnpajinya to flock to the building. “Mob from communities all round can all come here to use the new centre and more people gonna be able to see our painting, whitefella mob too, buying more paintings too, ” she said. Aboriginal Art Centre Hub WA chief executive Christine Scroggin said she expected the gallery to help transform Newman.

“It’s unlike any arts facility I’ve ever seen, it will help Newman to be a destination on the arts scene” she said.

“Already people come through Newman to go to places like Karijini, but they will stop at Martumili because there is no way you can pass through this town without seeing this facility.

“It is custom-built for Martumili, but also it will be such a good multi-purpose asset for the community.

“Our organisation (made up of Aboriginal arts groups across the State) would love to have a group exhibition (in the gallery) in the future, but in the meantime it is a wonderful facility for Martumili, who are very deserving.”