market day

The day after Desert Mob...

Wow that came and went very fast.

In fact I think I blinked 

and lost the last two weeks.

OK so that is a tad dramatic 

but seriously where oh where did August go??

Well this weekend was spent in Alice Springs for the annual desert Mob exhibition and markets. It was a lot of work spread out over a few manic day to get all the art packed up at the art centre and transported into Alice but well worth it.

So I should explain what Desert Mob is....

As part of Desart, which is the Association of Central Australian Aboriginal Art and Craft Centres, once a year all the remote art communities come together. There is a weekend of Symposiums, Exhibitions, Markets and of course music. 

Friday morning was the start of the art centre Symposium. This is a celebration of Aboriginal arts and the art centres that support the artists. The event included stories and images of the country, the history and the art.

Friday night was the opening of the Exhibition at Araluen, which presented over 300 works from Desart member Art Centres. From across Central Australia artists exhibited paintings, ceramics, fibre baskets and soft and metal sculptures that highlighted the high standard of contemporary Aboriginal art from this region.

I was blown away at how incredible the exhibition was. It was amazing to walk around and see all the art centres exhibiting in one place. Over 35 art centre were present and it was great to see so many of the artists had travelled the long distances to be at the opening. I met some incredible people. 

The opening was great but I have to say I was very happy to collapse into to bed that night. 

With a good night sleep Jane and I were up early Saturday morning to set up the market Stall. Some of the Women from Titjikala had come into town with us so we had plenty of help and before we knew it, it was 10am and Aboriginal art lovers were pouring in the gates to find a treasure or two.        

this is just after the 10am rush.......at about 1pm.......it was a very busy day.

Jane at the Titjikala stall and behind her we hung the beautiful
batik fabrics that Nora made. The fabric is a light Japanese
cotton and so the hand dyed cloth looked stunning with the light behind it. 

Teapots bowls, beads and music sticks....what more could you want

painted and burnt seed pods and red bush beans make the best jewellery.

It was a great market day with lots of sales and a good vibe from customers and stall holders a like. 

A one point a very nice man in a hurry come up to the Tijikala stall and handed me a few containers of seeds. I didn't know what they were and he didn't mention his name or give any details, just saying "these are for you. Have a nice afternoon". When the sales rush had died down a bit I showed them to Jane and she said " oh they are from Dave. They're quandong seeds"
That explains it....well not really.

Quandong seeds come from the fruit that comes from a quandong tree, makes sense. Traditionally the fruit was an important food source and the tree had strong medical properties. 
The seeds however have a beautiful texture and are perfect for adding to beaded jewellery (painted or unpainted) after a hole has been drilled through the middle.

All was explained. 
      

These are the quandong seeds. 

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT IN THE DESERT!!!