theStearns

Australian artwork at the Booker-Lowe Gallery in Houston, TX (photo by Kenn Stearns)

The Booker-Lowe Gallery is one of few U.S. galleries dedicated to Aboriginal Australian fine art. The word Aboriginal is used to describe all Indigenous Australians, the original inhabitants that were once 100% of the population but over the years have dwindled to less than 3%. There is a great deal of diversity within the Indigenous population of Australia – they’re essentially spread across various communities with hundreds of dialects, from Noongar and Yamatji in Western Australia to Murri and Murrdi in Queensland.

In 2008, I had the pleasure to meet gallery owners – Nana Booker AM (who also serves as Australia’s Honorary Consul of the State of Texas) and M. David Lowe. I believe the “AM” after Nana’s name designates she is a member of the Order of Australia, an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia in 1975 and is directly or indirectly connected to her consul status. The two personally select paintings, prints, and carvings for the gallery during their visits to Australia.

In many cases, the meanings of the artwork in the gallery extend well beyond mere visual appeal. Most of the pieces are figuratively multi-dimensional – they tell a story or can be identified to a family, community, or geographic place despite appearing to the uninitiated as little more than geometric shapes. A visit to the gallery is well worth the time.

Sam Lovell, Living Legend of the Kimberley, Western Australia, stands in front of the Booker-Lowe Gallery (photo by Kenn Stearns)

This Beach video is the second in a series of three identity spots for TV1, an Australian cable and satellite channel. Interesting use of stop motion photography.

Sam Lovell (photo by Kenn Stearns)

Sam Lovell was born in January 1933 on Calwynyadah Station in the Kimberley, Western Australia. At the age of four he was taken away to Mulla Bulla Station in 1937. Mulla Bulla Station was an Aboriginal settlement where so called “half caste” children were taken. Sam does not remember his mother and never saw her again after he was taken away. His early employment ranged from truck driver and drover to Head Stockman and yard building contractor.

In 1981, Sam and his wife Rosita established Kimberley Safari Tours, a tourism business that had more than 2,500 customers when they sold it in 1992. Sam was awarded the prestigious Sir David Brand Award in 1988 for his contribution to tourism. The Kimberley Tourism Association also presents an annual Encouragement Award, the Sam and Rosita Lovell Tourism Award to developing businesses.

Since 1995 Sam has been employed by the Office of Aboriginal Economic Development (OAED) as an Aboriginal Tourism Project Officer. In 2003, the Governor of Western Australia awarded Sam the Order of Australia for his contribution to Indigenous Relations.

Sam works with many international media groups including the BBC and Swiss Television. He was a Senior Cultural and Heritage Adviser on the major motion picture Australia, a Baz Luhrmann film.

Sam Lovell (photo by Kenn Stearns)