General News
9 July, 2023
Cultural exhibition opens for NAIDOC
Renowned First Nations curator and fine artist Gail Harradine has orchestrated a remarkable exhibition at the Dimboola Community Civic Hub in recognition of National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week. Harradine has...
Renowned First Nations curator and fine artist Gail Harradine has orchestrated a remarkable exhibition at the Dimboola Community Civic Hub in recognition of National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week.
Harradine has sought submissions from some of the most talented Indigenous artists in the region, and the exhibition showcases both established and emerging Indigenous talents across the region.
Hindmarsh Shire mayor Cr Brett Ireland inaugurated the exhibition by emphasising the significance of granting Indigenous artists the freedom to express their emotions through their artwork, and the importance of having their work seen and acknowledged.
He then handed the floor to Harradine who congratulated the exhibiting artists and praised the exceptional artwork on display.
Harradine delved into her personal connection to her great-great-grandparents, Pelham and Blanche Cameron, both members of the Wergaia Jaardawa Wotjobaluk Djupabaluk ancestral group, who inspired her “Pelham Cameron Bark Canoe” works.
The exhibition also served as an official unveiling of the permanent display at Dimboola Library for Harradine’s “Blanche” and “Pelham Cameron Bark Canoe”.
Harradine ceremoniously acknowledged the transfer of these pieces, shedding light on Mr Cameron’s legacy as a Dimboola farmer, accomplished athlete, and a skilled builder of single-strip bark canoes, who survived forced relocation to Ebenezer Mission, escaping in 1904.
Mr Cameron triumphed in the Dimboola Regatta in 1922, and was widely recognized as an authority on Aboriginal customs.
“All that beautiful history is there,” Harradine reflected.
“We are the survivors. It’s our responsibility to preserve this history, keep the languages alive, and pass down our identity and pride to future generations.”
Harradine handed the spotlight to Tanisha Lovette, an emerging young artist whose vibrant collection, including the striking graphic piece “Kookaburra”, graced the exhibition with nine captivating works.
Although Lovette has exhibited previously, she primarily undertakes commissioned work and said her artistic pursuits have been deeply therapeutic, stemming from a challenging childhood.
Photographs by the late Peter Jeffs (Wotjobalak) captivated visitors, particularly his sequential storm series.
In an email, the artist described the moment he was caught in a storm near Horsham and explained the connection he perceived between his frames and painting, despite lamenting the limitations of capturing true colour with his camera.
Another standout piece in this medium, “Blackfella Dreaming” by Uncle Andrew Nikkelson, is an evocative abstract photograph deserving of special attention.
The exhibition also featured superbly executed abstract silk-screened linens, while the fine art sections showcased a high standard of work providing valuable insights into the culture.
The opening of the exhibition drew a substantial crowd and was thoroughly enjoyed by the local residents.
The exhibition, located at the Dimboola Library and Old Shire Building on Lloyd Street, is open until July 14 and offers a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the land’s Traditional Owners.