Unique Australian Aboriginal artworks go on display
at National Art Museum of China
A major exhibition of contemporary Australian Indigenous paintings and objects - Aboriginal Art from Australia’s Deserts – will be launched tonight in Beijing by Her Excellency the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, who fulfils the duties of Australia’s Head of State. The magnificent works will be on display at the renowned National Art Museum of China from 10 June to 26 August 2010.
Aboriginal Art from Australia’s Deserts is also the first major collaboration to be launched under Imagine Australia - the Year of Australian Culture in China, a year-long bilateral cultural exchange partnership between the Australian Government (through the Australia International Cultural Council) and the Chinese Ministry of Culture. Vice Minister for Culture, Mme Zhao Shaohua, will join the Governor-General in welcoming guests at the launch.
Imagine Australia will showcase some of Australia’s finest gems in the performing arts, visual arts, dance, music, film, digital arts, literature and fashion. Its focus will be on strengthening cultural ties between Australia and China, developing new connections and building greater cultural cooperation between the two countries.
This is by far the most significant exhibition of Australian Aboriginal art ever to be presented in China. It features a substantial collection of paintings and artefacts from the Papunya community of the central and western desert regions of Australia, curated by the National Museum of Australia. The Papunya art community is widely regarded as a driving force behind the contemporary Australian Aboriginal art movement. Also included in the exhibition are works from the Balgo Hills community of Western Australia, curated by Artbank, which operates as the Australian Government’s contemporary arts ‘library’.
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to present to the Chinese public these inspiring works of Australian Indigenous art, and to work in close collaboration with such a prestigious Chinese institution,” said Australian Ambassador Dr Geoff Raby.
“The artworks featured in the exhibition reflect the different histories, traditions and stories of these two Aboriginal communities. They show the Papunya and Balgo people’s strong connection to their land. The paintings are also magnificent works created by skilled artists,” Dr Raby said.
The exhibition is the first presentation covered under a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding between the National Museum of Australia (NMA) and the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC), establishing arrangements for reciprocal travelling exhibitions between both institutions. Both NAMOC Director Fan Di’an and NMA Director Andrew Sayers will address guests at the opening, with guest performances by leading Indigenous contemporary dance company Bangarra and Indigenous musician and songman William Barton.
For further information on Imagine Australia see www.imagineaustralia.net
Programming Contact: For general information please contact Ms Katie Tian ([email protected]), ph: (010) 5140 4335
Media Contact: To arrange an interview or other media requests please contact Ms Jin Wen ([email protected]), Ph: (010) 5140 4497
The Australian Embassy in Beijing sincerely thanks our Imagine Australia
supporters
Major Sponsors
China Minmetals Corporation * Telstra
Tsingtao Brewery * La Trobe University
Metallurgical Corporation of China * St Regis Hotel Beijing
Australian Government Supporters
Australia International Cultural Council * Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia China Council * Australia Council for the Arts
Tourism Australia * Screen Australia