Page 59 - Tropic Magazine Issue 30

TROPIC • ARTS
Tangible

traditions

EXHIBITIONS
Following the widely recognised
Archibald Prize exhibition,
Cairns Art Gallery is returning
to its roots to celebrate the
region’s best art across the
themes of rituals, textiles
and tradition.

RITUAL The past in the present is a
fascinating exploration of the many
complex histories, traditions and beliefs
which inform contemporary Indigenous
artists in our region and others in the
Asia Pacific. The exhibition hosts the
works of over 30 artists, responding to
the practice, processes and performative
nature of rituals. Following three main Through the presentation of twelve
themes – life cycles, healing and renewal, sculptural costumes, Lee investigates the
and spiritual practices – RITUAL impact of Western culture and beliefs on
highlights issues around identity and ceremonial dress in marriage rites across During this confusing
cultural continuity. the Torres Strait Islands. kaleidoscope (COVID-19),
Heather Koowootha’s stunning new Naomi Hobson is another acclaimed
series of watercolour paintings represent local artist with a compelling new humanity has responded –
the ritual significance of local native flora photographic series in RITUAL, in which both by instinct and design
based on their medicinal and spiritual she has drawn upon the traditions – to refashion and reassert
values. Her botanical illustrations associated with New Year celebrations rituals in the most striking
draw upon knowledge systems and in Coen.
cultural practices of her parents and Also included in RITUAL are regional ways, using activities to
their ancestors. artists Brian Robinson, Janet Fieldhouse, formalise and mark time.
Grace Lillian Lee’s outstanding new Joel Sam, Alair Pambegan, Carl Fourmile, Old rituals were paused,
installation explores traditional craft Bernard Singleton Jnr, Simone Arnol, while new rituals took
techniques within a contemporary Arthur Koo’ekka Pambegan Jnr and
fashion and art context. The work was Peggy Kasabad Lane. their place
created in response to the life of her
grandmother, Marcella Lillian Lee RITUAL the past in the present Micheal Do, Art Curator,
(nee Berolah). In 1949, Marcella was 15 May - 22 August 2021 Sydney Opera House
married to a Chinese man on Thursday Cairns Art Gallery Writer - RITUAL the past in
Island in the Torres Strait and wore a Presented in Partnership with the the present
Western white dress. Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF)

Contemporary Indigenous Textiles
From Australia’s Tropic Zone

Court House Gallery
5 June - 4 September 2021
This landmark exhibition, the first of its kind in Australia, presents exciting new hand-
printed Indigenous textiles from remote communities across far north Australia.
Community-led Aboriginal Art Centres in the Northern Territory first explored
screen-printed textiles as a new creative medium in the 1960s.
Today, these textiles are a nationally and internationally acclaimed form of cultural
expression that enables the artists to share storylines about ancestral beings and
country, identity, material culture, and life forms that include bush foods, animals, birds
and marine life. This exhibition is a curatorial collaboration between Cairns Art Gallery
and Bobbie Ruben, a nationally acclaimed Indigenous textile mentor and facilitator.

MORE: cairnsartgallery.com.au

59 • tropicnow.com.au