Regional Gallery's PORT exhibition opens 30 April

22 April 2021

BRVG: PORT, Bega Valley Regional Gallery’s latest pop-up exhibition space at the Eden Welcome Centre will feature its First Nations collection, Nhawandyi/Nanda Beeyaa: I see you, killer whale from 30 April to 17 September.

“This exhibition’s title acknowledges its location at the Port of Eden, and the time when the wild killer whales hunted with the Yuin people, the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of the shire,” Gallery Director, Iain Dawson said.

“Nhawandyi/Nanda Beeyaa translates from the Thaua and Dhurga language to I see you, killer whale.

“The works in this exhibition were acquired for the Gallery’s permanent collection through the generosity of donors and artists and purchased through funds donated to the Gallery by visitors over the past seven years.

“The artists in the exhibition are from Aboriginal nations across the country and showcase visual culture, both ancient and contemporary.”

Mr Dawson said the importance of acknowledging and presenting First Nations visual art is central to the Gallery’s artistic program.

“First Nations visual arts provide a means of cultural expression and is a vehicle for the maintenance and transmission of culture,” he said.

“First Nation artists bring enormous cultural, social and economic benefits to their communities and to Australian society in general.

“It has been said First Nations visual art is Australia's greatest cultural gift to the world and our most profound, significant and important cultural export, and we couldn’t agree more.”

First Nation artists featured in Nhawandyi / Nanda Beeyaa : I see you, killer whale are: Tony Albert (Bindal and Wulgurukaba); Lee Cruse (Yuin); Karla Dickens (Wiradjuri); Gunyibi Gunambarr (Yolgnu); Naomi Hobson (Kaantju and Umpila); Lorna Napanangka (Pintupi); Margaret Rarru (Galiwin’ku and La?arra and Yurrwi); Yannima Tommy Watson (Pitjantjatjara); and The Yarrabah Artists (Gunggandji).

BVRG: PORT at the Eden Welcome Centre (Weecoon Street) is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.