A little under a month ago I caught the early flight from Perth to Newman. On the way to the airport the radio announced that Western Australia had recorded its third COVID-19 case. Two hours later I could see that the recent cyclone had left the country with tinges of green and water remained in the creek systems. Anna collected me from the airport and we drove straight to the art centre. I was eager to meet new artists and view the wonderful artwork for which Martumili is renowned. The three days went quickly and on the last night we had dinner at the Newman Hotel under the stars. Little did we realise that the world had already started to collapse.

Fast forward three weeks. The rolls of artwork that I had collected from Martumili arrived in Darwin. I unrolled the works, spread them on the gallery floor and I was, as if by magic, back in Martumili three weeks earlier. Art does this, sorry, great art does this; it transcends time. It melts the current setting, emotion or situation, an ability only mimicked by music or performance. So there I was, swimming in a sea of colour and culture, oblivious to the world outside.

Paul Johnstone Gallery is honoured to present STRONG COUNTRY, an exhibition about strength and resilience.

The exhibition runs from 7 April - 2 May
Please click here to download e-catalogue