Mandy Tootell: Territory Blue Exhibition Catalog

“Over the past few months, my backyard
has been visited by a wealth of Territory
birdlife,” says Godinymayin Chief
Executive Eric Holowacz.
“I’ve had a family of barking owls, small
flocks of sulphur-crested cockatoos, pairs
of dollar birds flittering around, and
charming smaller birds. All of these, and
more, can be found in Mandy Tootell’s
exhibition. Her most recent art provides
us with a comprehensive and combined
look at these colourful wonders—these
magical creatures within our
environment.”
Printmaking has long been a favourite art
making process of the artist, and this
exhibition returns to that medium by
exploring cyanotype, collage,
monoprinting and dry point etching (and
various combinations of these). With
Territory Blue, the birds that surround us
in the real world are explored through
these media—given a creative twist with
the image of each bird front and centre.
“Beyond the standard depiction of each
species, each of Tootell’s subjects takes
on its own personality,” says Holowacz.
“Some look mischievous, others are
curious, and some seem fierce. A few even
remind me of some humans I know.”
Tootell hopes that visitors to this
Godinymayin will find a similar familiarity
and wonder in this exhibition—expanding
their appreciation of the abundance of
amazing birdlife in the Top End and
beyond. As they soar around our gallery
with Territory Blue.
Top Left: Northern Rosellas,
Middle Left: Rufous backed Kingfisher,
Bottom Left: Red collared Lorikeet, Ink,
Lino print & Gouache on paper