PRECIOUS WISDOM: Works on Paper by Fate Savari (Isawdi)

PRECIOUS WISDOM: WORKS ON PAPER BY FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Sydney Oceanic Art Fair | Sunday 29th October 2023

PRECIOUS WISDOM: WORKS ON PAPER BY FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) “I am the Jubuje… because I paint fast! … just like the Jubuje moves and hunts fast through the trees at night.” ~ Fate Savari (Isawdi), 2010 Fate Savari (Isawdi) [c.1933-2019], painted for Ömie Artists once Gora village art centre was established by the community in late 2008, officially opening in 2009. During the decade that followed, through her extraordinary paintings, Fate established undisputedly that she was the most knowledgeable nioge (barkcloth) artist and (humble) female cultural leader in all of Ömie territory. She had painted since she was a very young girl,and continued to paint for her entire life.

In splendid detail, she painted her knowledge of—the sacred Ömie creation story; ancestral stories; stories linked to sacred sites and sites of significance; ancient nioge (barkcloth) designs; microcosmic and phenomenological details and observations of the tropical landscape; and Ömie histories. Through the complexity, sophistication and extraordinary diversity of her designs, Fate’s paintings take us to the source—to the very heart of the world of Ömie. With each new painting Fate revealed and expanded upon ancestral knowledge, and prided herself on executing that knowledge in the most visually compelling way possible. She was a true artist of the highest order.

In 2012, at Gora Art Centre, Fate presented a schoolbook she had obtained from her granddaughter. It was filled from front-to-back with drawings of ancestral Ömie and Dahorurajé clan stories (including many aspects of the Creation story), histories, culture and designs. There were also some loose pages in the front and back of the schoolbook and more drawings on paper wrapped up in a larger drawing on paper. One drawing was even used to wrap a rare and highlyprized headdress ornament of a King bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius). She created the book and drawings because she felt a great urgency to record her profound knowledge before she passed away. She used whatever materials she could find on hand for her creative and cultural expression.

After presenting this first book, she requested another book, more paper and drawing materials so she could still create art during the seasons that she didn’t have any barkcloth to paint on. Younger women would beat barkcloth especially for Fate to paint on but the supply of this preferred medium was inconsistent. In 2014, Fate filled yet another book with a collection of drawings and paintings, as well as some larger loose works on paper. She drew and painted many designs she had not created before. These special works on paper are the first of their kind by an Ömie artist, and capture a spectrum of Fate’s profound and precious wisdom, as well as her creative imagination and humour. Apart from her authentic genius, they are filled with everything about her culture that was closest to her heart.

Fate Savari (Isawdi)’s work is held in major museum collections internationally including: Queensland Art Gallery l Gallery of Modern Art, Meanjin/Brisbane, Australia; National Gallery of Victoria, Naarm/Melbourne, Australia; Museum Victoria, Naarm/Melbourne, Australia; Fowler Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles, USA; British Museum, London, UK; and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK.

THE WORKS ON PAPER

1.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Mahu hweje (Designs associated with the cutting of the pig for ceremonial feasts), 2015 77 x 56.5 cm Paint, pencil and ink on paper AU$1,750

2.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Nuni’e ohu’o ije bi’weje (Design of the eye and boys chopping tree branches in the food garden), 2015 77 x 56.5 cm Paint, pencil and ink on paper AU$1,750

3.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Amami sor’e, (nenyai, moköjö bineb’e, mi’ija’ahe, ije bi’weje, dubid-ubi’e, ohu’o sabu deje) [Design of the Ancestors (with women’s woven white shell headband adornment, chest feathers of the red parrot; animal bones; boys chopping tree branches; leaves of the Dubi’e plant; and spots of the wood-boring grub)], 2015 77 x 56.5 cm Paint, pencil and ink on paper AU$1,750

4.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Mweje (ohu’o sabu deje, ije biwej’e, moköjö bineb’e, buboriano’e, mi’ija’ahe ohu’o dubudubi han’e) [Gardens (with spots of the wood-boring grub, biys chopping tree branches, chest feathers of the red parrot, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, animal bones found while digging in the garden, and leaves of the Dubi’e plant)], 2015 77 x 56.5 cm Paint, pencil and ink on paper AU$1,750

5.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Marai baj’e (ohu’o ije bi’weje, nenyai, moköjö bineb’e, mi ija ahe, dubudubi han’e, sabu ahe ohu’o buborianö’e) [Ancestors’ coastal shell jewellery - traditional Ömie wealth (with boys chopping tree branches, women’s woven white shell headband, chest feathers of the red parrot, animal bones found while digging in the garden, leaves of the dubi’e plant, spots of the wood-boring grub, and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill)], 2015 77 x 56.5 cm Paint, pencil and ink on paper AU$1,750

6.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Nyoni han’e, varib’e, ije biweje ohu’o jubuje [Leaves of the fern, Dahorurajé clan emblem, boys chopping tree branches and nocturnal marsupial (Fate Savari’s ‘signature’)], 2012 21 x 29.5 cm ink and pencil on card AU$300

7.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Untitled (Ancestor), circa. 2012 21 x 29.5 cm ink on found paper AU$300

8.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Ömie Artists Art Centres (Godibehi, Savodobehi, Duharenu, Birrojo and Gora villages), ije biweje (boys chopping tree branches) and Huvaimo vene ene [Mount Lamington “fire rain” (the eruption)], 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

9.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Suvai (Stone axe heads of our ancestors), 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

10.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) The Dahorurajé Clan Legend of the White Bird-of-paradise who lived in the Mango tree at old Sidonejo village, and Mango fruits , 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

11.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Story of the Ancestors at Idö River (bamboo fire torches used for hunting fish at night and stars), 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

12.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Mweje (Gardens), 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

13.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Gori han’e ohu’o ije biwej’e (Clan emblem of the fern, new shoots of the fern and boys chopping tree branches), 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

14.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Double-sided work (see opposite for reverse): Jubuje ohu’o jarihan’e [Unidentified nocturnal marsupial animal (Fate Savari’s “signature”) in a Jarihan’e tree], 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$400

14.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Double-sided work (see opposite for reverse): Untitled, 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$400

15.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Webo ove ohu’o vene vitwé Dahore Obo (Story of the paws of the cuscus and Mina and Suja’s first fire on Mount Obo), 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

16.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Mahudan’e, mahu an’e ohu’o nyoni han’e (Pig tusks, pig teeth and Dahorurajé clan emblem of the fern leaf ), 2012 22.5 x 17 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

17.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Untitled (Ancestor), 2012 16.2 x 15 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

18.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Untitled, 2012 15.8 x 15.3 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

19.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Sodai, gwodé ohu’o han’e (Bound yams for carrying, with yam flowers and leaves), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

20.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Nyoni han’e (Nyonirajé clan emblem of the fern leaf ), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

21.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Jubuje ohu’o Jari’e [Unidentified nocturnal marsupial animal (Fate Savari’s “signature”) in a Jari’e tree], 2014 30.5 x 22 cmJ pencil and ink on paper AU$300

22.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Wovoso Nusis’e, hirokiki, amuridé ohu’o burejé [Waterfall at Nusis’e River (on my brother’s ancestral land), with murky, yellow water and river reeds], 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

23.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Mahu hweje sor’e (Designs associated with the cutting of the pig for ceremonial feasts), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

24.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Nuni’e (Design of the eye) 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

25.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Gori’e (Dahoruraje clan emblem of the plant that grows in the ground), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

26.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Vinohu’e (tattoo of the bellybutton), sor’e (Ujawé initiation tattoos) and the wedding song, “Wowomo ririho ano eggo niar’e sabero nuniro va’eve”, 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

27.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Marai baje (Ancestors’ coastal shell jewellery - traditional Ömie wealth), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

28.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Webe nun’e (Eyes of the cuscus coming out from the socket as it cooks on the fire), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

29.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Amami nioge (The very first barkcloth design of the Ancestors), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

30.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Obohuhataigu’e (Design of the ancestors), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

31.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Dahor’e (Mountains of my brother’s land), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

32.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Buboriano’e (Beaks of the Papuan Hornbill), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

33.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Amami nioge (The very first barkcloth design of the Ancestors), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

34.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Mweje (Gardens), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

35.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Mweje, mi’ija’ahe, nenyai, mokojo hwe ahe ohu’o ije bi’weje (Gardens, old animal bones found while digging in the garden, women’s white seashell forehead adornment, markings of the parrot’s feathers and boys chopping tree branches in the food garden), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

36.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Mweje, mi’ija’ahe, nenyai, mokojo hwe ahe ohu’o ije bi’weje (Gardens, old animal bones found while digging in the garden, women’s white seashell forehead adornment, markings of the parrot’s feathers and boys chopping tree branches in the food garden), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

37.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Deje borom’e, dubidubi han’e, mi’ija’ahe, nenyai, mokojo hwe ahe ohu’o ije bi’weje (Big yam, orchid leaves, old animal bones found while digging in the garden, women’s white seashell forehead adornment, markings of the parrot’s feathers and boys chopping tree branches in the food garden), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

38.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Yams of Godibehi, Savodobehi, Tonobehi, Gora, Gorabuna, Enjoro, Jiapa, Duharenu, Asapa, and ije biwej’e (Boys chopping tree branches in the food garden), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

39.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) [Double-sided work. Please contact Ömie Artists to see back of work] Ömie amovu, hin’e, mahudan’e, mahu an’e (Story of the first mustard, with pig’s tusks and teeth), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$400

40.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) The white Bird-of paradise sitting in the Mango tree at Sidonejo village (with mango fruits), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

41.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Nyoni han’e (Nyonirajé clan emblem of the fern leaf ), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

42.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Nyoni han’e (Nyonirajé clan emblem of the fern leaf ), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

43.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Hin’e baje (Story of the first mustard), 2014 30.5 x 22 cm pencil and ink on paper AU$300

44.

FATE SAVARI (ISAWDI) Nyonirajé clan story of the ancestor’s footprint in the stone at Uborida (Jordan River in the Gora valley), 2012 21.8 x 17.5 cm ink on schoolbook paper AU$300

SYDNEY OCEANIC ART FAIR 2023 Date: 9am-5pm Sunday 29th October 2023 Venue: Cooee Art Leven 17 Thurlow Street, Redfern, NSW 2016 Entry: $5 public, $2 students SYDNEY OCEANIC ART FAIR GALA PREVIEW EVENING Date: 5pm - 7:30pm Saturday 28th October 2023 Venue: Cooee Art Leven 17 Thurlow Street, Redfern, NSW 2016 Entry: $10 all persons payable at the door ARTWORK ENQUIRIES Email: omieartists@hotmail.com International shipping available.

Photos & text © Ömie Artists Inc. Artworks © Fate Savari (Isawdi) & Ömie Artists Inc. All rights reserved.