London calling

London’s Coningsby Gallery has accepted the works of award-winning Wynnum artist Troy Little and Hemmant’s Nancy Torrens, who approached the gallery. The exhibition will be held next June, with another in Las Vegas later in the year.

Mr Little, of the Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation, believes the artwork could attract international tourists.

His efforts are part of a bayside push to grow tourism in the area through arts, food and leisure activities.

Themed around marine life, the paintings are some of the many artforms and events drawing visitors to the area, including Jan Powers’ Farmers Markets and Brisbane Marketing’s My Favourite Spot campaign, which showcased the area in May and June.

Chamber president David Farley said he looked forward to seeing an increase in visitor numbers.
``Indigenous art maintains a strong following overseas,’’ Mr Farley said.

Mr Little said it was time the bayside art style was given the same recognition as indigenous works from central and northern Australia.

``All of the people we speak to say that Aboriginal art is either Torres Strait Islander or Central Desert,’’ Mr Little said.

``The coastal art still carries all the significance and tradition of central desert art; it’s about breaking a stereotype.’‘

The artists will hold exhibitions to fund the trip to London.

A Tourism Queensland spokeswoman said an indigenous projects team was interested in the project.

``I’ve spoken with my colleagues and while we are excited to meet (Mr Little) and hear more about the project, it would be inappropriate for us to comment until we discuss the project in more detail,’’ she said.

The exhibition will run at London’s Coningsby Gallery from June 27 to July 8 next year, and then in Las Vegas later in 2011.