Gallery with a difference
Indij N Arts holds some pretty impressive exhibition openings. Did you know that? I bet you didn’t because if you did I wouldn’t have been able to walk or turn around down there on Montague Road last Friday.
Indij N Arts is Brisbane’s only aboriginal art gallery that is also aboriginal owned and operated. I’ve seen a lot of indigenous art in my day and I’d be hard pressed to think of a collection I’ve enjoyed more that what I’ve seen there. It’s big and bold and beautiful. It’ll make you think and feel and smile and it’ll make you stand and wonder.
You can see the collection any day the gallery is open and that’s every day of the week from 9am till 5pm. But the real treat will be when you attend an opening. Last Friday for example. There was a cosy coffee tent set up outside to catch the cool breezes that blow from over the river. They are serving real espresso coffee. Inside you are informally welcomed with a ticket in the lucky door prize and a glass of lemon myrtle cordial or, if it’s your preferred poison, a glass of complementary wine. Then you’re formally welcomed by Auntie Mulinjarlie, the elder representing the Jagera people on whose country you are walking.
I’ve been to a lot of exhibition openings in my day too but I’m told I go about it all the wrong way. I like to take in the art and, if I get the chance, I like to ask the artist about it. Of course I like to see who’s out being seen too but apparently that is about all I should be doing. Apparently I’m supposed to get in, survey the scene and who’s who in the zoo and then get out and on to the next venue.
No signs of that at Indij N Arts. They’ve settled in for a proper celebration. There are dancers who perform traditional Nunuccal dances and songs of welcome. There is continuous entertainment from professionals as well as community members who are “just filling in” with songs, and poems and stories. There’s food that community members have prepared and there is no shortage of volunteer helpers looking after you.
The artists speak about their work too. This current exhibition involves fourteen artists namely including Helen Turner, Michael Dodd, Nicky Newley, Steve Bond, Rhonda Collard, Craig Wright, Barbie Stewart and Les (Junior) Stewart. I’ve been to exhibitions where the pieces seem to be nothing more than sketchy illustrations for artist statements that are as long as they are nebulous. At Indij N Arts openings they ask the artists to speak about their work but they don’t seem to feel the need to make stuff up. They say things like: “I couldn’t tell you how I do it. I just can.” (Craig) and “When I pick up a paint brush I hear the didgeridoo. I wonder where it’s coming from but then I realise it is coming from inside me.” (Rhonda Collard).
And if you don’t think you’ll fit in let me tell you how I saw a visitor from Japan wander in and happily perch at a table by himself. Well he didn’t have to sit there long before Auntie Mulinjarlie sent someone over to make him welcome and to bring him over to the refreshments table.
I left with words from our emcee Ricky Pascoe that I had never heard at an art gallery before “If anyone leaves here tonight without saying hello to each other I reckon there’s something wrong with you.”
Photo by Tony Robertson
More info at: http://www.indijnarts.com.au/
