After the rain

After the rain is the title of the Fifth National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery.   I had attended the opening to hear Aretha Brown introducing her major, large, monochrome work in the foyer, but only managed a return pretty late in the season.  It runs to 27 April.  I admired a goodly part of the exhibition, enjoyed some, was deeply impressed by several, learnt something from many.  There were 7(?) rooms, each with a theme, some with several or at least several artists featured.  I was particularly taken by rooms dedicated to Albert Namatjira, with paintings, pottery, a glorious house of stained glass, a witty portrait by Vincent Namatjira.  There was film and a room of timer flying foxes, another of Aboriginal gay scene, one of starry skies, paintings pf rain clouds and a knitted woollen statue of woman  with children.  Thea Anamara Perkins, granddaughter of Charles Perkins stunned me with her paintings, one of her on a phone at a desk, many stunning others.  Then a lovely desk that suited the scene, a rest space after the exhibition, to read catalogues and the like.  Another beautiful work.  A wonderful experience for pleasure but also understanding.

After the rain is the Fifth National Indigenous Art Triennial, held at the National Gallery.  

Blak and white

Excuse any careless writings on this topic, but this outing invited all to the National Gallery of Australia to take part in a workshop which "seeks to foster awareness and real change through conversation and self-reflection".  Free, one hour, on the opening day of the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial entitled After the Rain.  The thought attracted me deeply, some discussion, critical thinking, self-questioning; all matters of importance in this and other fields and of much value as we recall the Voice referendum (and even the Republic referendum before that).  It was to be led by artist Aretha Brown, well spoken, challenging but inviting.  There were tables with tablets and questions to ponder and discuss.  Perhaps there were too many people, but we mainly just heard of the massive work surrounding us and the stories it recounted.  That was worthy if not quite what I'd expected.  But there was history there, as seen through Aboriginal eyes, mostly pretty well known even by the likes of me, with just ~100 years of history in Australia, not 65,000.  So if not quite as I'd hoped, it was a worthy hour and I look forward to return to peruse of the Triennale sometime when I'm not so busy.

Aretha Brown (artist) presented and discussed issues from her work at the National Gallery of Australia.