Language is a bond that stretches back through time, connecting us to our ancestors and collective history, and the importance of First Nations languages is the focus of LAND & LANGUAGE.
To coincide with national celebrations for NAIDOC Week 2017 (with its theme ‘Our Languages Matter’), Wollongong Central are proud to present LAND & LANGUAGE – an exhibition showcasing work and live art from First Nations artists.
Language is a bond that stretches back through time, connecting us to our ancestors and collective history, and the importance of First Nations languages is the focus of LAND & LANGUAGE.
The general public is invited to watch these skilled artists in action as they conduct live painting sessions between 10am–2pm, on Levels 2 & 3 of the Gateway building at Wollongong Central, during early July.
The featured artists are from different nation groups, but primarily from the Illawarra region, and their work includes:
David Cragg’s sculpture series using recycled materials and highlighting birds native to the Illawarra region, to raise awareness of dwindling populations due to loss of habitat. David will also create two site-specific murals between 3–7 July and 12–16 July.
Noni Cragg’s series of portraits of notable Illawarra residents and historically significant First Nations people with whom she has a personal connection. Noni’s live painting will take place on 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th July.
Peter Hewitt will produce a site-specific mural exploring notions such as authenticity and self-identity, painting live between 12–16 July.
Blak Douglas’s photographic series ‘Spiritualitree’ aims to reclaim First Nations spirituality and capture its omnipresence via images of tree shadows/spirits. In addition, Blak will be live painting murals between 12–16 July.
Warwick Keen will showcase a selection of works from his award-winning digitally manipulated photographic series ‘Back To Burra Bee Dee’.
Also on display will be photographs of significant sites throughout the Illawarra as well as a series of poems written in the traditional Dharawal language by historian, archaeologist, anthropologist, and publisher Les Bursill OAM JP.
Produced and curated by aMBUSH Gallery and presented with Wollongong Central, LAND & LANGUAGE will be open daily from Monday, 3 July until Sunday, 6 August during centre trading hours.
LAND & LANGUAGE is located on Levels 2 and 3 of the Gateway Building at Wollongong Central, and is free of charge to the public.
Look for aMBUSH Gallery and Wollongong Central on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
What: LAND & LANGUAGE
When: 3 July – 6 August, 2017
Where: Gateway Building, Wollongong Central, 200 Crown Street, Wollongong
Free Public Events
Artwork by Noni Cragg and Blak Douglas
David Cragg, Noni Cragg, Peter Hewitt, Blak Douglas, Warwick Keen, Les Burial OAM JP
Waterloo Gallery
4A James Street
Waterloo, Sydney
NSW 2017
+61 2 8399 0707
Visiting by Public Transport: Train to Green Square Station or Bus 309, 310 or 355
Accessibility: please call the gallery prior to visiting if special assistance is required