Painting meets medicine for healing dream in country

Aboriginal Art Directory | 17.02.08

Author: Clare Morgan
News source: Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney Morning Herald preview of Utopia Revisited exhibition.

Quoted from article:

After establishing the Aboriginal Benefit Foundation in 2005 and funding small-scale indigenous health and welfare projects, the Aboriginal art specialist and gallery owner has set a goal of raising $1 million this year. The plan is to build the Yirrkala Healing Centre in East Arnhem Land, which would offer a blend of Western and traditional medicine, meeting areas and counselling services.

The fund-raising kicked off this week with the opening of the exhibition Utopia Revisited, featuring works by female indigenous artists including Minnie Pwerle, Gloria Petyarre and Emily Kngwarreye.

The paintings have been provided by individuals and institutions and, after much complicated legal work, any money or works donated will be income-tax exempt.

After spending three years funding small-scale projects, Newstead is excited about focusing on a large scheme.

"We haven't been overly keen to be inundated with requests for money, given that the foundation is only just beginning," he says.

"Then out of the blue came a request from Yirrkala for help in establishing a healing centre. At first it seemed an impossibly large project for us. But we were looking for a project that could not only make a huge difference to a lot of people but also to establish the foundation in the minds of Aboriginal art organisations here and around the world."

URL: http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/painting-meets-medicine-for-healing-dream-in-country/2008/02/14/1202760484171.html

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