New exhibitions focus on Aboriginal art and history
Photo: Land, Sea and Sky exhibition curator Les Raveneau takes Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour on a tour of the exhibition at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery.
The works of Aboriginal artists connected to the Fraser Coast and an historic event that inspired national change are the subject of two new exhibitions opening at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery.
Land, Sea and Sky features works by artists from several nations who have a connection with the Fraser Coast region and celebrates contemporary expressions of culture, stories, and identity through creative practice.
The exhibition’s title refers to the country that belongs to the Butchulla people, the traditional owners of the land of this region.
Artists include Joel Barney, Asha Chalmers, Jodie Collins, Aunty Karen Hall, Donna Murdoch, Michelle Dederer, Aunty Jan Henderson, Aaron Henderson, Taylor Dederer, Lenore Kempnich, Lionel Kerwin, Jacinta-Rai Ridgeway, Micheal Gayler, Jodie Burns, Sonny Law, Val McGarth, Les Raveneau, Virginia Burns, Barry Swan, Shane Nelson, Barbara Pershouse, Julie McGillivray and Aunty Jan Williams.
Still in my mind: Gurindji location, experience and visuality is inspired by the words of revered indigenous leader and Gurindji elder Vincent Lingiari.
It is a national touring exhibition reflecting on events preceding and following the Walk-Off of indigenous stockmen at Wave Hill cattle station in the Northern Territory in protest over poor wages and living conditions.
It explores notions of home, community and country connected to the Walk-Off.
The exhibition is curated by renowned Indigenous artist and researcher Brenda L. Croft, in collaboration with the Kalkaringi community.
Lingiari’s statement is the exhibition’s touchstone, with the story retold from diverse yet interlinked Indigenous perspectives through photographs, an experimental video installation, newly commissioned history paintings, contemporary and historical prints and drawings, textiles and found objects, digital platforms and archives.
Still in my mind is a richly diverse exhibition that enables audiences to explore events of historical and cultural significance to all Australians.
The exhibition also presents a multi-layered picture telling the story of the Gurindji people and those part of the diaspora through interwoven Indigenous standpoints.
The exhibitions open on June 11 and closes on August 21.
For more information on gallery opening times visit the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery website.
