Fraser Coast residents are encouraged to celebrate local and national Indigenous art and culture at a special community event at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery this month.
Mayor George Seymour said the community celebration on Saturday 20 August would include free tours of the Butchulla Seasonal Garden, with samples of bush tucker treats, and free tours of the current Indigenous art exhibitions.
“The Fraser Coast has a colourful and vibrant cultural life, and Council is keen to ensure the community has opportunities to appreciate arts, heritage and cultural diversity,” he said.
“The two exhibitions currently on display at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery both showcase Indigenous culture in different ways.
“Land, Sea and Sky features works by artists connected to the Fraser Coast, while Still in my mind is a national touring exhibition focussing on the Walk-Off of indigenous stockmen at Wave Hill cattle station in the Northern Territory in protest over poor wages and living conditions.
“We encourage local residents to check out these interesting and informative exhibitions before they close on Sunday 21 August.”
The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery ‘Last Look’ community celebration on Saturday 20 August 2022 starts with a free morning tea and children’s activities at 10am.
During the morning, the curator of the Land, Sea and Sky exhibition Les Raveneau and gallery director Ashleigh Whatling will take guests on a guided tour of the exhibitions.
Narvo Narmi will lead a tour of the Butchulla Seasonal Garden beside the gallery. During the tour, guests will be introduced to local flora and its traditional uses and enjoy treats made with native ingredients thanks to Aunty Kym Walker.
The activities include:
- 10am: morning tea starts and kids colouring-in activity. Morning tea made with native ingredients is available throughout the morning;
- 10.15 to 10.45am: Butchulla Seasonal Garden Tour. There are limited spaces on the tour, so registrations are essential;
- 11 to 11.45am: Land, Sea and Sky exhibition tour (no registration required);
- 12-12.30pm: Butchulla Seasonal Garden Tour. There are limited spaces on the tour, so registrations are essential.
The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is located at 166 Old Maryborough Road, Hervey Bay.
For more information on the celebration and to register for the tours go to https://hbrg.ourfrasercoast.com.au/events/event/926/last-look-land-sea-and-sky-still-in-my-mind
Additional background about the exhibitions
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.
For more information on gallery opening times go to https://hbrg.ourfrasercoast.com.au/
Article and images provided by Fraser Coast Regional Council
