2022 Australian Aboriginal Art Exhibition Opens in Chongqing
NAIDOC week
Every year in July, the Australian community organises a wide range of activities to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples and to deepen understanding of the Australian Aboriginal community. To celebrate this year's NAIDOC Week (3-10 July 2022), the Australian Consulate General in Chengdu and the Chongqing Library will host the 2022 Australian Aboriginal Art Exhibition "Australian Impressions" and "Yuendumu Doors” in Chongqing from 10 June to 10 July 2022.
The exhibition is divided into two parts. “Australian Impressions” features fourteen photographs by two Australian Aboriginal photographers, Michael Jalaru Torres and Bobbi Lockyer. The “Yuendumu Doors” presents 20 reprints of Australian Aboriginal painting art. The exhibition is co-organized by Chongqing Creative Art “Z Space”, and supported by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism, Chongqing's Foreign Affairs Office.
On 10 June 2022, the Australian Consul General in Chengdu, Ms Adelle Neary, launched the exhibition in the Chongqing Library. “Australian Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Aboriginal people have lived on the Australian mainland for more than 60,000 years. Their rich culture has been passed down through the generations and is still strong and vibrant today." Ms Neary said.
Australian Consul General in Chengdu, Ms Adelle Neary
Ms Neary reflected on the history of Australia's Aboriginal people and also on the heartfelt Uluru Declaration which new Australian Prime Minister, Mr Anthony Albanese, has committed to advancing. The new Government has committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have a full voice, through legislation and the establishment of relevant institutions and mechanisms. I hope this exhibition will leave a lasting impression on the audience and thus promote greater exchanges and mutual understanding between the people of China and Australia.”
Australian Consul Ms Naomi Vaz, led the guests through the exhibition, giving a personal tour, talking about the culture, history and stories behind the works.
The first part of the exhibition, “Australian Impressions”, uses contemporary photography as a medium to share the unique and complex experiences of Aboriginal Australia. "Marks" refers to the scars of colonization, but also to the historical traces of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their impact on modern Australians. Through the exhibition, Aboriginal photographers want to express their strong connection to their homes and families.
The second part of the exhibition, “Yuendumu Doors”, is 20 reprints showing the paintings on the doors by the Warlpiri elders. The Warlpiri are the largest indigenous group in central Australia, living in remote communities such as Yuendumu, with a vibrant cultural and artistic life. “Yuendumu Doors” is an important part of the local history and of the cultural life of the Warlpiri people.
Murdie Nampijinpa Morris
© Warlukurlangu Artists
Angelina Nampijinpan Tasman
© Warlukurlangu Artists
This exhibition will be open to the public free of charge at the Chongqing Library from 10 June to 10 July 2022.