CANBERRA

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 28.04.21

There are fascinating differences between the two major institutions in Canberra in the presentation of their First Nations collections. At the National Gallery you can't avoid the Indigenous even as you hurry in to make your timed booking for the Big Show, 'Botticelli to van Gogh'. The increasingly sacred 'Aboriginal Memorial' of 200 silent lorrkon haunts the entrance; the First Nations galleries are beside you as you ride up the escalators; and ahead, in the main building, the new 'Belonging' juxtaposes black and white images of the country. Even the big 'Know My Name' showing of women's art closes – or maybe opens - with the contribution of Aboriginal women. And there's still the fourth Indigenous Triennial – actually another Quinquennial – to come in November. Meanwhile, over the Lake, the National Museum seems to want you to work extra hard just to find their First Nations galleries. Up and down stairs or a lift, outside and inside the building, un-signposted and then disorderly. Why would you place the currently trendy show of Indigenous fashion, 'Piinpi' in the middle of a historic display, I wonder? I'm reminded that the Art Gallery of NSW traditionally kept the Indigenous in its basement, though it is promising to do an NGA when 'Sydney Modern' opens: “Facing our original building across an art garden, the expansion is due for completion in 2022 and will place historic and contemporary works by First Nations artists front and centre”, promises Director Michael Brand in 'The Art Newspaper'. Of course, most NGA visitors will currently be heading for those 'Sunflowers' in the UK National Gallery's grand touring show. Plenty else to delight, mind you - Rembrandt's self-portrait, Turner's sunset, Monet's waterlilies, El Greco's Christ, and an insightful portrait of the Russian-born man who kicked off the Gallery's collection.» Read More

 

Sydney Biennale - 'From a Brook to a River'

Sydney Biennale - 'From a Brook to a River'

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 23.04.21

Sydney's Biennale in 2020 set new standards with its emphasis on First Nations artists from around the world. For 2022, the Colombian Artistic Director, Jose Roca has taken up the baton and kept running – allowing him to pun that...» Read More

 

2021 Telstra NATSIAA Finalists Announced

2021 Telstra NATSIAA Finalists Announced

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 22.04.21

Sixty Five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander finalists from across Australia have been selected from a total of 248 entries in the 2021 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of...» Read More

 

National Aboriginal Art Gallery Gets a Boss

National Aboriginal Art Gallery Gets a Boss

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 15.04.21

The Northern Territory's Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech has announced the appointment of Tracy Puklowski to the role of Senior Director, National Aboriginal Art Gallery planned for Alice Springs. She'll start in the job on 24 May...» Read More

 

THE NATIONAL 2021

THE NATIONAL 2021

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 29.03.21

The third iteration of 'The National' “showcasing the varied and vital work being made by Australian artists” has opened across three venues in Sydney – Carriageworks, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of NSW. Whether there will...» Read More

 

TRUTH-TELLING

TRUTH-TELLING

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 26.03.21

Henry Reynolds, offering a “big picture context” for the 'Uluru Statement from the Heart' in his latest book, is a fine historian. His intensive researches into the horrors of past colonial relationships with Australia's First Nations peoples have brought many...» Read More

 

All Revealed in Freo

All Revealed in Freo

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 24.03.21

Presenting the best new and emerging Aboriginal artists from remote, regional and metro Western Australia, 'Revealed 2021' will showcase artworks including paintings, installations, textiles, photography, print media, video, jewellery, carving and sculpture. Hosting over 100 emerging Aboriginal artists, the galleries...» Read More

 

Bla Mela Kantri

Bla Mela Kantri

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 22.03.21

OK – I wonder whether you can make sense of my Kriol title for this story??? For it's the title of an exhibition exploring different representations of landscapes around Ngukurr, the south Arnhemland township where many tribes met beside the...» Read More

 

Current Exhibitions


Industry Corner: Exhibition

CANBERRA

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 28.04.21

There are fascinating differences between the two major institutions in Canberra in the presentation of their First Nations collections. At the National Gallery you can't avoid the Indigenous even as you hurry in to make your timed booking for the...» Read More

Industry Corner: Exhibition

Sydney Biennale - 'From a Brook to a River'

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 23.04.21

Sydney's Biennale in 2020 set new standards with its emphasis on First Nations artists from around the world. For 2022, the Colombian Artistic Director, Jose Roca has taken up the baton and kept running – allowing him to pun that...» Read More

Events: Event

National Endowment for Indigenous Visual Arts

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 19.02.21

If that name sounds like an official institution set up by some government quango, it is possible that was the intention. In fact, it's the baby of the ever-dynamic Melbourne (and New York) dealer D'Lan Davidson. Though he was beaten...» Read More

Events: Event

The Ebes Collection

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 13.10.20

Back in May 2013, I wrote enthusiastically about the opening of Melbourne's 'Emily Museum', celebrating, of course, the career of the woman its owner, Hank Ebes called “Australia's greatest artist”. As he continued at the time, “There is no influence...» Read More

 

Upcoming Exhibitions

THE NATIONAL 2021

29.03.21 THE NATIONAL 2021
Carriageworks (closing June 20), MCA (closing August 22), AGNSW (closing 5 September)
» Find out More