Find a Dream at the Chrissie Cotter Gallery

Aboriginal Art Directory | 17.11.09

Women’s imaginative thoughts and desires are celebrated in Dreams, on show at the Chrissie Cotter Gallery from 5 - 29 November 2009.

The annual Aboriginal women’s exhibition features the work of Shirley Amos, Euphemia Bostock, Tracey Bostock, Charmaine Davis, Joy Duncan, Danielle Gorogo, May Hinch, Lee-Anne Hunter, Michelle LeCombe, and Carmel Richardson.

One of the artists, Bronwyn Bancroft, said every year the theme of the exhibition was chosen by one of the more senior artists. This year Carmel Richardson chose ‘Dreams’.

“This will be our fifth year of exhibiting at the Chrissie Cotter Gallery. We started with the eldest deciding on the first theme and we are progressively moving through the ranks. So there’s a wonderful tradition that will carry on.”

Bronwyn works as an artist across many mediums, from public artworks to children’s book illustrations. Her work is held in collections in the National Gallery of Australia, Macquarie University, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of Western Australian, Australian Museum and Artbank, as well as in overseas collections such as Newark Museum USA, Prime Minister of Turkey, The Kelton Foundation USA, Volkerkunde Museum, Germany, Westpac USA and Governor of Tokyo, his Excellency Mr Suzuki.

Other artists include Jessica Birk, a young Aboriginal artist who grew up and lives on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. She is a descendant of the Yaegl people, from the Northern Rivers of NSW. She says through her art she can assert herself as a contemporary storyteller of the Yaegl people. And Ruby Troutman grew up on Toomelah Mission in the North West of NSW on the Macintyre River. Many of Ruby’s paintings are of local bush foods introduced to her by her father as the family travelled around shearing sheds for work.

“We have walked together as Aboriginal women artists,” says Bronwyn Bancroft. “The young with the elders, the emerging with the established, to allow for greater recognition for our roles as Aboriginal community members and artists. Everyone’s becoming more confident. And we were so excited when we heard this year’s theme. We loved it. It describes exactly where we are as women and artists.”

“Marrickville Council is proud to host this annual exhibition and provide greater exposure for Aboriginal women artists,” said Councillor Sam Iskandar, Mayor of Marrickville. “Every year the exhibition manages to celebrate Aboriginal women’s power and resilience. The intensely colourful works also reflect ancient traditions and the artists’ relationship to their lands.”

Dreams will be opened by Lynette Riley, the Academic Coordinator at the University of Sydney’s Koori Centre, and a Wiradjuri / Kamilaroi person. Large images are available of some of the works.

ENDS
Media contact: Elizabeth Heath, Communication Coordinator
Ph 9335 2047 Mob 0428 115 292

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Contact Details

Gallery: Northern Rivers Community Gallery
Contact: Chris Allison
Email: chrisa@ballina.nsw.gov.au
Telephone: +61 2 6681 6167
Address: 44 Cherry Street Ballina Ballina 2478 NSW

 

 

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