Indigenous arts and culture - News and events

Events | Featured projects | Call for entries | Announcements

Events

Big Eye - Darwin

2 August - 6 September 2008

Big Eye showcases four Indigenous animators. Animation as an art form is considered a traditional media in mainstream Australian heritage. Big Eye presents Aboriginal voices and perspectives from within 'old world' and 'new world' traditions, including stop-motion, 3D and other animation techniques. 24HR Art.

Nganampa Tjukurpa: Our Stories - New Paintings from Ernabella Arts - Perth

19 August - 13 September 2008

Mossenson Galleries, in conjunction with Ernabella Arts, present the first Western Australian exhibition of paintings from Ernabella, a historic and important community arts initiative. Ernabella was established as a settlement in 1938 by Presbyterian missionaries. The mission was founded upon the principle of a 'two-way' system of belief, in which Indigenous language, culture and traditions were encouraged to co-exist alongside Christian doctrines. Within a decade, the first Indigenous art centre had been founded at Ernabella, providing an outlet for artists to transform their traditional designs into striking works in wool, textiles and batik. Sixty years on, Ernabella Arts is the oldest continuously operating Indigenous art centre in Australia. Mossenson Galleries.

Warburtonta-latju Warntu Palyaranytja - Perth

1 August - 14 September 2008

An exhibition of felt works shown in conjunction with items from the Warburton Community Arts Collection. Participating artists: Taparti Bates, Tjingapa Davies, Dora Lane, Elizabeth Holland, Nora Holland, Nola Hunt, Nyumitja Laidlaw, Myra Lawson, Neville McArthur, Walya Mitchell, Eunice Porter, Betty West, Christine West, Debra West and Lalla West. Holmes à Court Gallery.

Jan Billycan, Kirriwirri - Broome, Queensland

Opens 29 August 2008

Jan Billycan is one of the seminal artists from the Yulparija Artists movement, a painter of such intense and internalised quality that her paintings seem to sing to the viewer. Billycan has been recognised both nationally and abroad over the many years she has been painting. This exhibition showcases a selection of works painted over 2008 depicting her traditional country Kirriwirri in the Great Sandy Desert. Short St. Gallery.

Day of ideas - Beyond Sorry: A New Renaissance - Perth

3 - 4 October 2008

It is hoped this 2008 Day of Ideas will discuss how we might make reparation for the wrongs done that we've apologised for. The audience will be invited to ask questions and engage in discussion. The purpose of the day is to allow for the raising and sharing of important ideas. Holmes à Court Gallery, East Perth

Through Our Eyes - The Canning Stock Route - Port Hedland, Western Australia

5 September - 24 October 2008

Through the eyes of emerging and established Aboriginal artists, FORM's innovative Canning Stock Route Project has resulted in the creation of over 200 works from over nine remote community art centres across the Pilbara, Kimberley and Midwest regions, celebrating their countries surrounding the Canning Stock Route. Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery.

Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award - Darwin

15 August - 26 October 2008

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award. The Award is open to all adult Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander artists and aims to showcase the very best Australian Indigenous art from around the country. The non-acquisitive Telstra Award of $40,000 is awarded to the work considered by judges to be the most outstanding work in the exhibition. Additional prizes of $4,000 each are awarded in four media categories. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Featured projects

FORM's Indigenous Development Program - Western Australia

August 2008

FORM's Indigenous Development Program, running since 2005, is based on the need to promote intercultural celebration of Indigenous artists and their families in Western Australia. Currently encompassed by The Canning Stock Route Project, projects are implemented in collaboration with remote and regional art centres. Projects are mostly facilitated out-bush and 'in-country' - taking the aims and principles of Creative Capital to the remote regions of WA.

Gurrumul - solo album a transcendent experience

April 2008

The voice of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has been described as 'a gift from the gods'. Geoffrey, or Gudjuk as he is also called, is from Gumatj in North East Arnhem Land. A former member of Yothu Yindi, now with Saltwater Band (Elcho Island), Gurrumul's first solo album highlights his amazing talent as a singer/songwriter/musician. His beautiful voice singing the songs of his Gumatj country will never leave you ... 'it is as though Yunupingu has reached into a wellspring so deep it transcends cultural barriers'. (Bruce Elder, SMH, 12-13 April, 2008)

TERRA SPIRITUS... with a darker shade of pale

March 2008

Bea Maddock has etched the entire coastline of Tasmania with Terra Spiritus... with darker shade of pale, 1993-98, a fifty-one sheet red-ochre pastel drawing that forms a fully encircling panorama, almost 40 metres in extent. Distant inland mountains are reflected out onto the sea towards an imaginary viewer in a small boat. Blind-printed, inconspicuous lettering identifies mostly minor landscape features named by Europeans; curling along the mid-line of the work, hand-drawn Palawa words of the Tasmanian Aborigines. Her local earth, hand-ground and rubbed into delicate scratches in the paper, echoes Indigenous cosmetic use of redness. Art Gallery of South Australia.

Guides to help do the right thing with Indigenous culture

March 2008

The Australia Council for the Arts has revised its protocol Guides that assist people understand how to use Indigenous cultural material. The five Guides cover protocols for producing Indigenous Australian media arts, music performing arts, visual arts and writing. They were written for the Australia Council by Indigenous intellectual property lawyers Terri Janke and Robynne Quiggin.

Ningenneh Tunapry Tasmanian Aboriginal Gallery - Hobart

The new Tasmanian Aboriginal Gallery presents visitors with a rich, enlightening and inspiring experience. Ningenneh Tunapry means 'to give knowledge and understanding'. The gallery explores the journey of Tasmanian Aboriginal people and is a celebration of all Tasmanian Aboriginal generations - past, present and future. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

Call for entries

Selling Yarns 2: Innovation for sustainability - National

Entries by 1 September (biography), 15 January 2009 (full papers), event 6-8 March 2009

Selling Yarns 2: Innovation for sustainability is a conference that addresses contemporary Indigenous craft and design practice. It draws on the outcomes of the first Selling Yarns conference held in Darwin in 2006 that looked specifically at contemporary Indigenous textile practice. The conference will highlight the work of Indigenous makers from the south-eastern region of Australia and parallel the directions in practice of urban Indigenous makers with that of artists in remote communities.

Indigenous Filmmakers Scholarship - New South Wales

Entries ongoing

This Scholarship offers Indigenous people in NSW the opportunity to enrol in Metro Screen training courses to the value of $1,000 each. To apply for the Scholarship, complete an application form (PDF) identifying the course of study and reasons for selecting the course. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Courses are listed on the Metro Screen website.

Announcements

Christine Christopherson selected for prestigious international art residency

August 2008

Iwaidja artist Christine Christopherson has been selected as the second Australian ever to be offered an artist residency at the Joseph and Anni Albers Foundation studio in Connecticut, USA - supported by the Australia Council for the Arts. Lydia Miller, Executive Director of the Australia Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Division, said Christopherson joins a select group of artists who have worked at the estate of the late Bauhaus School artists - Joseph and Anni Albers. 'This residency is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Christine to work in one of the world's leading residential art studios and develop her practice,' she said. A visual artist from Darwin whose past works have been inspired by her staunch opposition to mining in Kakadu National Park, Christopherson's works are currently on display in Culture Warriors - Australia's first National Indigenous Art Triennial.

Indigenous funding program review

August 2008

The Australia Council for the Arts' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board is conducting a review of its key organisations funding program, Making Solid Ground. Input from people and organisations with an interest in support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists is being sought. Two papers have been released to date: a discussion paper, to invite conversation about how best to invest in infrastructure support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, and an issues paper, to help guide input about the issues that matter to future support for Indigenous arts in this country. These are the first step in a nationwide consultation process for the review.

$37.5 Million in Indigenous Arts And Cultural Support

14 August 2008

Arts Minister Peter Garrett and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin announced more than $37 million in funding for Indigenous arts, cultural, languages and broadcasting programs across Australia in 2008-09. Visiting the Kurruru Youth Performing Arts Centre in Port Adelaide Mr Garrett said the funding, through four Government programs, would support the activities of almost 250 organisations providing invaluable support, services and programs to Indigenous Australians.

Australian Government response to Senate Indigenous art enquiry

12 August 2008

Arts Minister Peter Garrett has tabled the Australian Government's response to the 29 broad recommendations outlined in the Senate Inquiry Report Indigenous Art: Securing the future. "The Rudd Government recognises that a vibrant and sustainable Indigenous art sector is critical for artists and their communities. The growing Indigenous art market makes a significant contribution to our economy, and Indigenous art practice is an important driver of cultural understanding. The Rudd Government has already committed additional funding of $7.6 million over four years to the National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS) program to boost support for Aboriginal Art Centres. Additionally, we have allocated $1.5 million in the 2008/09 Budget for the implementation of a resale royalty scheme which will ensure artists have an ongoing economic interest in their work."

New Australian Institute for Indigenous Learning and Skills Development

19 July 2008

The Australian Government will contribute $6.75 million toward the establishment of the Australian Institute for Indigenous Learning and Skills Development.The institute will form part of the redeveloped Punt Road Oval, the original home of the Richmond Football Club, which will be completed in 2010. Media release.

$3 million boost to Indigenous heritage protection

July 2008

Celebrating NAIDOC week, Heritage Minister, Peter Garrett has announced more than $3 million in support from the Commonwealth Government's Indigenous Heritage Program for 49 Indigenous projects across Australia. Mr Garrett said the program was aimed at helping community groups and individuals identify, conserve and promote the heritage values of places important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Red Ochre Award

June 2008

The author of Follow The Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doris Pilkington Garimara, has been awarded the Australia Council's Red Ochre Award in recognition of her lifetime contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts domestically and abroad. ABC.

Key online resources

• Aboriginal Art Directory
• The Black Book - Indigenous Portal
• Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
• Message Club - Indigenous online space for children
• Message Stick - ABC online
• Vibe (the Deadlys)
• Centre for Appropriate Technology
• Reconciliation Australia
• Virtual Warrane - computer simulation
• The Institute for Aboriginal Development
• IAD Press - National Indigenous Publishing
• Indigenous Community News Network

Indigenous peoples

• Eora: Aboriginal Sydney, 1770-1850
• Garma
• Indigenous Australians - online exhibitions at the Mitchell Library
• Mission Voices - Koorie
• Narungga people, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
• Nyoongar people - Murdoch University
• Wallumedegal - Aboriginal History of Ryde
• A brief Aboriginal History of Ryde
• Bundle (also known as Bon-del, Bundal, Bundell or Burreach)

Arts and culture

• Ananguku Arts - Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, South Australia
• ANKAAA - Northern Territory Top End and Kimberley Indigenous art centres
• Desart - Indigenous art centres in Central Australia
• Dust Echoes
• iDIDJ Australia
• Koori Heritage Trust - Victoria
• Ngaanyatjarra Regional Arts
• Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA)
• Roebourne Art Group
• Indigenous Torres Strait Islander Art
• Tiwi Art
• UMI Arts- Far North and West Queensland
• Us Mob
• Warlukurlangu Artists' Aboriginal Association

Media and broadcasting

• Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA)
• Imparja Television
• Waru - hosted by PY Media in APY Lands