ACCLAIMED INDIGENOUS ART FOR BRITISH MUSEUM: PREMIER
Published Sunday, 12 November, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
LONDON: Queensland Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie last night presented work by two acclaimed Indigenous artists to the prestigious British Museum.
Mr Beattie, in London as part of a 12-day trade mission to the Middle East and Europe, donated the works by Fiona Foley and Dennis Nona.
“Queensland’s Indigenous art is distinct from the art genres of the Central and Western Desert dot and circle painting styles, and the bark painting of the Arnhem Land artists in the Northern Territory,” Mr Beattie explained.
“Our Queenslanders are also at the cutting-edge of the modern Indigenous art scene, and Fiona is gaining increasing attention around the world.
“Torres Strait artists, such as Dennis, have a growing following for their contemporary works of which are based on island tradition and are unique to this area.
“In the Torres Strait, art is often used as a medium to record the teachings of ancestors to ensure respect for cultural tradition is passed down to the younger generation.
“Dennis’ very detailed Sesserae will now be shown by the museum that houses one of the largest cultural history collections in the world.”
Mr Beattie said he was also delighted to present the museum with Samsara – a series of seven beautiful etchings by Fiona Foley.
“Fiona has raised the profile of urban Indigenous arts in Australia and abroad and having Fiona and Dennis now showing in the British Museum is a significant development for Indigenous arts in Queensland.
“Fiona currently has an exhibition of her work on display at The October Gallery in London.”
Mr Beattie said the value on Australia’s Indigenous art industry has been put at AUS $200 million a year, with growing interest from the UK.
“Through the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency we have been forging strong ties with local British galleries, and the presentation to the museum is evidence that our own artists are among the very best in the world.”
Mr Beattie last night also launched Gatherings II in the UK, the second edition of a highly successful book showcasing Queensland Indigenous artists and their works.
“As well as having enormous cultural value, our arts sector is a major source of jobs and income in remote and regional communities and is why my Government has embarked on initiatives to develop and promote the industry,” said the Premier.
Fiona Foley – Biography
Born in 1964 and based in Brisbane, Fiona Foley has made a significant contribution to the international promotion of Queensland and (Australian) urban Indigenous art. Her work has been included in institutional exhibitions in Europe and the United States. She has travelled extensively to speak at public education programs that accompany exhibitions.
She draws inspiration from her unique life history as an Indigenous woman growing up in a community with a living memory of being forcibly removed from Fraser Island at the turn of the 20th century.
Fiona’s sculptural installations and photographs are today represented in all major public collections in Australia.
Through her connections with Indigenous communities in Queensland, the Northern Territory and elsewhere in Australia, combined with her overseas travel, Fiona is a respected advocate for Queensland Indigenous art.
Dennis Nona – Biography
Widely acknowledged as one of Queensland’s greatest Indigenous artists, Dennis was born in 1973 on Badu Island in the western Torres Strait.
Dennis Nona’s work can be seen in the collections of most of major Australian art institutions and in several important overseas collections, including: the National Gallery of Australia; Queensland Art Gallery; National Gallery of Victoria; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of South Australia; Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Cambridge University Museum UK and the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Lyon, France.
Dennis pioneered the development of the highly intricate linocut prints unique to the Torres Strait Islands. He has documented, in a vivid visual form, the ancient stories and traditions of his island and the wider Torres Strait that had previously been transmitted by oral story telling and dance.
Following his highly successful exhibition, assisted by the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA), at the Australian Embassy in Paris earlier this year, Dennis’ prints were shown at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London.
Media Contact: Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490
Mr Beattie, in London as part of a 12-day trade mission to the Middle East and Europe, donated the works by Fiona Foley and Dennis Nona.
“Queensland’s Indigenous art is distinct from the art genres of the Central and Western Desert dot and circle painting styles, and the bark painting of the Arnhem Land artists in the Northern Territory,” Mr Beattie explained.
“Our Queenslanders are also at the cutting-edge of the modern Indigenous art scene, and Fiona is gaining increasing attention around the world.
“Torres Strait artists, such as Dennis, have a growing following for their contemporary works of which are based on island tradition and are unique to this area.
“In the Torres Strait, art is often used as a medium to record the teachings of ancestors to ensure respect for cultural tradition is passed down to the younger generation.
“Dennis’ very detailed Sesserae will now be shown by the museum that houses one of the largest cultural history collections in the world.”
Mr Beattie said he was also delighted to present the museum with Samsara – a series of seven beautiful etchings by Fiona Foley.
“Fiona has raised the profile of urban Indigenous arts in Australia and abroad and having Fiona and Dennis now showing in the British Museum is a significant development for Indigenous arts in Queensland.
“Fiona currently has an exhibition of her work on display at The October Gallery in London.”
Mr Beattie said the value on Australia’s Indigenous art industry has been put at AUS $200 million a year, with growing interest from the UK.
“Through the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency we have been forging strong ties with local British galleries, and the presentation to the museum is evidence that our own artists are among the very best in the world.”
Mr Beattie last night also launched Gatherings II in the UK, the second edition of a highly successful book showcasing Queensland Indigenous artists and their works.
“As well as having enormous cultural value, our arts sector is a major source of jobs and income in remote and regional communities and is why my Government has embarked on initiatives to develop and promote the industry,” said the Premier.
Fiona Foley – Biography
Born in 1964 and based in Brisbane, Fiona Foley has made a significant contribution to the international promotion of Queensland and (Australian) urban Indigenous art. Her work has been included in institutional exhibitions in Europe and the United States. She has travelled extensively to speak at public education programs that accompany exhibitions.
She draws inspiration from her unique life history as an Indigenous woman growing up in a community with a living memory of being forcibly removed from Fraser Island at the turn of the 20th century.
Fiona’s sculptural installations and photographs are today represented in all major public collections in Australia.
Through her connections with Indigenous communities in Queensland, the Northern Territory and elsewhere in Australia, combined with her overseas travel, Fiona is a respected advocate for Queensland Indigenous art.
Dennis Nona – Biography
Widely acknowledged as one of Queensland’s greatest Indigenous artists, Dennis was born in 1973 on Badu Island in the western Torres Strait.
Dennis Nona’s work can be seen in the collections of most of major Australian art institutions and in several important overseas collections, including: the National Gallery of Australia; Queensland Art Gallery; National Gallery of Victoria; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of South Australia; Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Cambridge University Museum UK and the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Lyon, France.
Dennis pioneered the development of the highly intricate linocut prints unique to the Torres Strait Islands. He has documented, in a vivid visual form, the ancient stories and traditions of his island and the wider Torres Strait that had previously been transmitted by oral story telling and dance.
Following his highly successful exhibition, assisted by the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA), at the Australian Embassy in Paris earlier this year, Dennis’ prints were shown at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London.
Media Contact: Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490