Australian Indigenous Art and Design.

Welcome to my blog about my experiences with Australian Indigenous Art and Design. 

My aim is to see and discover as much Indigenous art and design locally in South Australia and research other states within Australia.  

The above picture is a photograph of a performance piece by the Bangarra Dance Theatre group.

A brief History: 
Bangarra Dance Theatre is Australia’s leading Indigenous performing arts company which combine the spirituality of traditional culture with modern story-telling. 
The dance theatre group tours internationally as well as extensively to national, regional and remote centres across Australia.
Stephen Page has been their artistic director since 1991, Bangarra is committed to developing the next generation of Indigenous storytellers through mentoring and training of creative Indigenous young people

The Bangarra organisation is inspiring to non-Indigenous and Indigenous alike, with their commitment to their culture and talented individuals. http://www.bangarra.com.au/vision  

Finders University Art Museum and City Gallery South Australia. 

Exhibition: Roads Cross
Contemporary Directions in Australian Art

 Molly Nampitjin Miller, Ildiko Kovacs and Yaritji Connelly Untitled 2010 synthetic polymer paint on linen 183 x 245 cm © courtesy the artists and Ninuku Arts, image RAFT Artspace

Since the late 20th century, opportunities to engage with Australian Aboriginal art, its makers and their communities have increasingly informed Western approaches to art-making. roads cross explores how this development has left traces and echoes in recent Australian art - literally, in terms of subject matter and direct collaboration, and formally or conceptually, as expressed through art and ideas. More broadly, the project underscores the place of art as a means of dialogue, a platform for communication between Australia's Indigenous and settler peoples. http://www.flinders.edu.au/artmuseum/exhibitions/

The art displayed gives a broad view of how the artists felt they had crossed roads with Aboriginal art, I thought the exhibition to be thought provoking. I also then read reviews written by the Adelaide Review  http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/article/1694 and the Australia Art Review http://artreview.com.au/exhibitions/851264161-eloquent-intersections . Both I found reflected on the issues around and associated with Australia's shocking treatment of the Aboriginal people, there was very little comment on the art works within the exhibition.