Gestuelles presents works of Aboriginal women painters from desert communities where the emergence of acrylic painting and the understanding of women's role have significantly been encouraged by two prominent French women anthropologists : Françoise Dussart in Yuendumu and Barbara Glowczeski in Balgo Hills.
The strong, historical links between France and Aboriginal art offer a rich and fertile background -- from the research and writing works of French ethnologists and anthropologists, their interventions in Aboriginal art communities, to the development of important public Aboriginal art collections in France and the exceptional Australian Indigenous Art Commission at the Musée du quai Branly in Paris.
Originating from two historical Aboriginal art centres, Warlukurlangu Artists in Yuendumu -- NT and Warlayirti Artists in Balgo Hills -- WA, the body of works explores women's painting and their gestures relating to transmission, from younger emerging artists to senior painters like international star Judy Napangardi Watson.
