Dalai Lama drops in

The Winward family was honoured and amazed by a visit by His Holiness The Dalai Lama to their new art gallery at South Wharf late last year.

Red Desert Dreamings gallery director Kevin Winward said the Dalai Lama came to the Hilton Hotel-based business to be interviewed by Sandra Sully for a television program.

“We were there throughout the interview and felt remarkably honoured by his presence,” Mr Winward said.

“As he was leaving, we presented him with a gift – two paintings (one by Sarrita and one by Tarisse King as future leaders in the Aboriginal art world) and the Susan McCulloch book Contemporary Aboriginal Art.”

“He was very appreciative.  He really enjoyed the space – a remarkable statement about the ambience of our gallery and the peaceful spirituality of the great art on display there.”

The Red Desert Dreamings Gallery officially opens this month. An exhibition of works by the King sisters, who featured in the recent television series The Apprentice, runs all February. 

Some 10 per cent of the proceeds of all sales during February will be donated to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to assist funding of their indigenous children’s health programs.