Celebrating 2017 Arts NAIDOC

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'Black Keys to Unity': Multiple generations jamming and dancing during an impromptu gathering. Photographer: William Debois

Celebrating 2017 Arts NAIDOC

The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum celebrated NAIDOC Week with a number of exhibitions featuring the stories of local Indigenous families.

 

Black Keys to Unity:

In preparation for NAIDOC Week 2017, local Indigenous musicians collaborated with local photographer, William Debois. During the Autumn months, William was able to capture how music had the unique ability of harmoniously bringing family and friends together. The exhibition presents a stunning series of photographic prints that explores the way music is used as a universal language to preserve traditions, share culture and unite families.  Black Keys to Unity will remain on display until 12 August 2017.

 

 Four Yarns: The Link Project:

Led by local artist, Katrina Elliott and facilitator, Melena McKeown, Four Yarns follows-on from The Link Project that began in 2009 as collaboration between older and younger generations of local Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island people. Four Yarns features stories from Maureen Eggmolesse (Byellee), Ben Ghee (Torres Strait Islander), Richard Johnson (Gooreng Gooreng) and Immanuel Beezley (Kabi Kabi), in conversation with young people. The exhibition is on display until 12 August 2017 and includes photographic portraits and video footage of the yarns.  Please note: There are images and names on display of people who have passed away.

 

Heritage Photographs:

This exhibition showcases a series of community photographs of both past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Elders and their families. Featuring images from World War I days through to more recent times, the exhibition gives an insight into the strength and community spirit of well-known locals. These family photographs are drawn from the Gallery & Museum's historical archives and will remain on display until 12 August 2017. Please note: There are images and names on display of people who have passed away.

  

Grounded:

Grounded, a commission by Glasgow Life for Festival 2014, XX Commonwealth Games, is the seventh exhibition in Judith Parrott’s Place Matters series.  Brought to Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance, Grounded presents the outcome of two residencies. One, in the Gaelic speaking Outer Hebrides of Scotland and the other with the Australian Aboriginal nations of the Central Australian desert and the plains of Western Queensland. Grounded features photography, sound, audio-visual, language and prose, and is on display from 22 July - 26 August 2017.