Why do we go to exhibition openings?

Warakurna Artists has three commercial gallery exhibitions per year. We have a limited number of shows to ensure each exhibition is well crafted and beautifully curated.

Warakurna Artists philosophy is the belief that artists will only produce really great works if their well-being is the primary priority. That large scale works are not always great artworks, especially if the artists elderly and frail. We believe low production equals high quality artwork. That an environment that nurtures creativity and respects culture will produce works of authenticity and integrity. Importantly, the Art Centre must be a place of empowerment, joy and celebration. That excellent governance and training are the foundation to a strong Aboriginal owned enterprise; that artists must be the driving force behind their business.

It took us time to select our galleries. In my opinion there are really only about a dozen ethical galleries to choose from. The galleries we have selected do more than sell artwork and say they 'love Aboriginal people'. The galleries we have chosen actively participate in promoting the importance of Aboriginal governed and owned Art Centres and the ethical treatment of Indigenous artists, they share and are aligned with our philosophy.

We chose galleries that had established reputations in the Indigenous arts and craft sector. The galleries we chose only work with Aboriginal owned and governed Art Centres. They ensure emerging artist's works are placed in National and International public collections. This is vital as it builds an artists reputation and career.
Most of our galleries actively participated in the development of NAVA's (National Association of the Visual Arts) Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct. In 2006-2007 NAVA worked with Desart and ANKAAA to develop an Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct.
Link - www.visualarts.net.au/advicecentre/codesofpracticeandprotocols/indigenouscommercial

Most of them participated in this year’s Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into Australia's Indigenous visual arts and craft sector.
Link - www.aph.gov.au/Senate/Committee/ecita_ctte/indigenous_arts/

Warakurna Artists exhibitions are not only an opportunity to display dazzling culturally powerful paintings; it is also an opportunity for the artists to have a voice. As one of the younger artists told me at the beginning of this year, "The paintings the old people paint, they are our memories. They are a hand of friendship to you. We want you to understand our culture so we can stay in our country forever".

Exhibitions should be a way for artists to have a voice in the broader community, to protest, to assert and express their world view and to enjoy the recognition they get as great contemporary artists.

Image caption: Ernest Bennett and Ken Shepherd speaking at Warakurna Artists group exhibition at Aboriginal and Pacific Art gallery, Sydney in November 2007.
(c) Warakurna Artists. Photo: Phillipa Roberton.

Paintings by Carol Maayatja Golding 2007