Good Heart set to showcase indigenous art

Aboriginal Art Directory | 03.06.10

The countdown has begun to the third annual ‘Good Heart' Mid West Aboriginal Art Exhibition proudly supported by Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR).

The exhibition will showcase more than 160 contemporary and traditional works by more than 50 indigenous artists from the mid-west at the QV1 Building in St Georges Terrace, Perth.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Dr Kim Hames, said he was looking forward to viewing the artistic talent of the mid-west when he officially opens the exhibition on Monday June 14.

"Good Heart is a fantastic initiative that provides direct support to Aboriginal communities in the mid-west region and one that makes a significant difference to the lives of the artists," Dr Hames said.

"Supporting indigenous communities to continue their long and proud history of producing unique art, as well as delivering social benefits is a shared objective of both the State Government and OPR."

OPR Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Langoulant, said the exhibition was aiming to build on the success of the first two exhibitions which generated approximately $120,000 in sales.

"This is my first Good Heart exhibition since being appointed to lead OPR at the beginning of the year and I would like to see the exhibition continue to grow through greater artist participation and higher attendance levels during the exhibition," Mr Langoulant said.

"I have had the privilege of previewing some of the pieces and I am genuinely excited by the quality and depth of works at this year's exhibition and encourage people to attend.

"The fact that the exhibition is back for a third consecutive year is a testament to the extraordinary artistic talent of our artists, the drive and enthusiasm of many community based agencies and the genuine appreciation of quality artworks by Western Australians," he said.

As the host of the exhibition, OPR receives no commission on artworks sold during the exhibition with all money generated by the sales returning directly to the artists.

"Not only do the painting sales provide a financial boost to Aboriginal people in the regional and remote communities in which we operate, we are working with artists to create a long term future for mid-west art," Mr Langoulant said.

OPR is the developer of the multi-billion dollar Oakajee port and rail project in Western Australia's mid-west, which will create a new port, 25 kilometres north of Geraldton, linked to regional mines by approximately 570 kilometres of rail.

OPR's support of Good Heart is comprehensive. The company and its business partners fund a Project Manager for the exhibition, co-ordinate its staging, provide paint and canvas to artists and provide support to bring remote artists and their work to Perth.

This year's exhibition also includes some textile works, by Mullewa artist Roy Merritt, which have received international recognition from the fashion industry.

The textiles complement the array of traditional and contemporary indigenous artworks from first time participants through to previous Good Heart exhibitors.

Wiluna artist, Annette Williams, will make a 2200 kilometre round trip to attend the exhibition opening. Annette's painting, "Working Green Ants", was chosen to feature in promotional material for the exhibition. The Good Heart 2010 exhibition will be on display at the QV1, St Georges Terrace, Perth from 14 -18 June 2010 between 10am and 4pm.

Good Heart is proudly supported by OPR's partners – JFA Consultants, Crosslands Resources, AECOM, Blakiston & Crabb, DLA Phillips Fox, ANZ, Worley Parsons, Oceanica, Mid-West Development Commission, The Geraldton Guardian and Midwest Times, Geraldton Port Authority, Calibre Rail.

OPR acknowledges the assistance of Yamaji Art-Geraldton, Artsource, Tjukurba Gallery - Wiluna, MEEDAC, City of Geraldton-Greenough, Gryphon Management Australia, FD Third Person, Market Creations, Jacksons Drawing Supplies and Project Manager Nan Rickards.

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