Connections to Country

Published 11 October 2019

Immerse yourself in the artistic expression of the world’s oldest continuing culture with Indigenous Australian exhibitions and workshops on offer across the Moreton Bay Region through to November.

Stunning bark paintings and sculptures created by one of Australia’s most ground-breaking contemporary artists, John Mawurndjul AM are on display until November 23, I am the old and the new invites you to experience the stories of Kuninjku culture and significant locations surrounding the artist’s home in western Arnhem Land.

Set against the backdrop of artworks by John Mawurndjul, join a panel of artists for an engaging discussion about contemporary Aboriginal art facilitated by Troy Casey from Blaklash. Free to attend, guests will be treated to a highlights tour of the exhibition, alongside live music and refreshments.

Celebrate the International Year of Indigenous Languages with a simple and fun kids party starring the Kabi Kabi language. Play games, make music, dance and keep the party going with snacks in the gallery foyer before using our crafty chatterbox to play games alongside works by artist John Mawurndjul.

Join linguist and anthropologist Murray Garde as he shares his experience learning the Kuninjku language in the outstation communities south of Maningrida (Northern Territory). Murray will share stories about his long friendship with acclaimed artist John Mawurndjul, and the unique challenges and rewards of working as a community linguist.

Build confidence in delivering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in the classroom during a one-day workshop with artist educators from the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. 

Understand the protocols and procedures for working with Indigenous artists and artworks while learning about the issues of cultural misappropriation.

Facilitated by Flying Arts Alliance, this workshop will build your appreciation of the rich diversity of Australia’s Indigenous histories, languages and cultures.

View the powerful work, The Dunes (How good is Australia) by Ryan Presley, this year’s winner of the region’s leading contemporary art exhibition, 15 Artists.

Vincent Serico’s paintings tell stories about living in different parts of Queensland, working, travelling, painting, and playing cards in old mission communities like Cherbourg, Palm Island, Mornington Island, Yarrabah and Doomadgee.  Join Curator Michael Eather from Fireworks Gallery for a talk and tour of the exhibition and gain a deeper insight into the works of Vincent Serico.

Moreton Bay Region Council acknowledges Country to that of the Jinibara, Kabi Kabi and Yuggera traditional custodians.

We also pay our respects to the Elders both past and present, and recognise the significant contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples share within our cultural landscape.

For a full calendar of exhibitions and public programs view the Galleries and Museums calendar.

Image: Installation view, John Mawurndjul: I am the old and the new, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2018 © John Mawurndjul / Copyright Agency, 2019, photograph: Jacquie Manning.