A sample of images from our exhibition of Aboriginal works from Central Australia 'Strong Women Strong Painting Strong Culture'. The exhibition ran from 5th February to 27th March, 2011.

1. Strong Women Strong PaintingStrong Culture Indigenous Women’s Art of the Central and Western Deserts Works from the Sims Dickson Collection

2. Strong Women Strong Painting Strong Culture ran from 1st February to 20th March 2011, timed to coincide with the centenary of International Women's Day. It included paintings, etchings, tjanpi works, batik and soft sculpture. Artists represented were from Kayili, Spinfex, Warakurna, Papulankutja, Tjala, TjunguPalya, Papunya Tula, Ikuntji, Kaltjiti, Warlukurlangu, Irrunytju, Warlayirti, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Yarrenyty-Arltere, Maruku, Irrkerlantye, Ampilatwatja and Ernabella. The exhibition provided a broad outline of the evolution of women's art making in the central desert regions - the earliest work was from 1987 and others are from the 1990s. Importantly, it brought the story up to date with a majority of works from the last few years, highlighting the enormous energy and innovation of the current art centre movement.

6. Jean Burke, KamulaPikati, raffia, minarri grass and camel hair, 2010

7. Anmanari Brown, The Seven Sisters, acrylic on canvas, 2009

8. Niningka Lewis, AraIrititjaErnabella-la - Old Days in Ernabella, acrylic on canvas, 2010

9. This is a time for talking strong and being proud of who we are and what we do. Jane Young, DesartChairperson

10. Margaret Kemarre Turner OAM, Intervention AyeyeAkerte, acrylic on canvas, 2008

11. TjampawaKawiny, KapiTjukula, acrylic on linen, 2010

12. Shirley Namatjira,Kadaitcha Man Walking Through Country, 2009

13. Our paintings are our hand in friendship to you.Tjurkurpa – true stories. Eunice Porter, artist and Warakurna Artists Chairperson

14. TaliTali Pompey, Para – Desert Gum Trees, acrylic on canvas, 2010

15. Tjaduwa Woods, Nguraku, acrylic on linen, 2008

16. Kunmanara (Makinti) Napananka Kungka Kutjarra, acrylic on linen, 2000

17. A lot of what you paint is in your heart and mind rather than what you see. Iwana Ken, artist

18. Cessnock Regional Art Gallery 16 Vincent Street, Cessnock, Hunter Valley NSW 2325 T: 02 4991 6619 F: 02 4991 6620 E: info@crag.net.au W: www.crag.net.au