In Cahoots at the Town Hall

Published on Friday, 18 February 2022 at 4:31:49 PM

Artists in remote and regional Aboriginal art centres and independent artists from across Australia have come together to develop the In Cahoots exhibition coming to Albany Town Hall in March.

When six Aboriginal art centres across Western Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria invited independent Australian artists to work with their community, it fostered genuine collaboration and skill exchange to produce a significant body of work.

The centres included Baluk Arts (VIC), Buku-Larrnggay Mulk Arts Centre (NT), Mangkaja Arts (WA), Martumili Artists (WA), Papulankutja Artists (WA), Warakurna Artists (WA).

In Cahoots exhibits the diverse partnerships that were formed through large-scale woven installations, reclaimed tin sculptures, wooden objects, contemporary furniture, photography and paintings.

Each piece speaks to the distinct themes and issues of each community whilst uncovering the perspective and skills of the individual artist.

In Cahoots curator Erin Coates said it was an ambitious and complex undertaking.

“Asking artists from diverse cultural backgrounds across Australia to develop new ways of art making, and in doing so to accept one another into their practices and communities was a challenge,” she said.

“I’m thrilled audiences all over Australia will now have the chance to witness the results of these exchanges – they’re bold, materially rich, fascinating artworks.”

Manager Arts and Culture Paul Nielsen said the City was looking forward to hosting the exhibition.

“Language barriers, distance, extreme weather and travelling challenges didn’t stop the artists working together to deliver the project,” he said.

“It has received praise from critics for producing such captivating artworks and it is a pleasure to welcome this collaboration across country to the Town Hall.”

In Cahoots will be exhibited in Albany Town Hall from March 4 to April 21. Exhibiting artist Neil Aldrum will be discussing his works at 11am on Saturday, March 5 at Albany Town Hall.

The exhibition is supported by Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest and Australia Council for the Arts, and delivered with the Fremantle Arts Centre.

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