New DVD package promotes leading Indigenous artists overseas

Queensland’s growing contribution to the competitive Australian Indigenous art industry is showcased in a new DVD and postcard package Power in Art: Contemporary expressions from leading Indigenous artists of Queensland, Australia to be launched tonight at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) by Minister for Trade John Mickel.

Mr Mickel said that this important internationally-targeted marketing tool would assist the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA), a unit of Trade Queensland, to raise the profile of Queensland Indigenous art overseas, develop export opportunities for Queensland Indigenous artists and build long-term relationships with key partners and art industry stakeholders nationally and internationally.

“The Power in Art promotional DVD package contains a memorable selection of high quality works of art including drawing, painting and sculpture, as well as photography, printmaking, ceramics and fibre art from Queensland’s most talented artists from five key regions,” Mr Mickel said.

“A selection of the artists are city-based, while others are from Lockhart River, Aurukun, Mornington Island and the Torres Strait Islands.

“The DVD also features renowned ceramicist Thancoupie and expert fibre artist Abe Muriata as well as stunning landscape photography taken by some of Australia’s leading photographers.

“The Power in Art package showcases contemporary work of Queensland Indigenous artists and will help to further establish Queensland as a major source of quality, innovative and unique Indigenous art in international and Australian contemporary art markets.

“We want to further strengthen international relationships between Queensland Indigenous artists and international galleries and industry stakeholders.

“The DVD and postcard package is a vital marketing initiative that reinforces Trade Queensland’s strategy to establish partnerships that enable international exhibitions for artists such as Samantha Hobson from Lockhart River and Alick Tipoti and Dennis Nona from the Torres Strait Islands, who are all currently exhibiting their works in international galleries with QIAMEA’s support,” Mr Mickel said.

Samantha Hobson is currently making her London solo debut at the October Gallery. Alick Tipoti is currently exhibiting at the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, London in his first solo show outside Australia assisted by QIAMEA. Both Artists have received commercial attention from high profile UK institutions the Museum of Scotland and The British Museum respectively as a result of their shows. Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin is currently hosting the major exhibition ‘Tropics, Views from the Middle of the Globe, with Dennis Nona’s monumental six metre linocut, ‘Yawarr’ featured.

QIAMEA is responsible for the strategic marketing and promotion of high quality Queensland Indigenous arts. In support of the artists and their work, QIAMEA works with the industry in both international and domestic contemporary art markets.

For further information please phone (07) 3238 3146 or visit www.indigenousarts.qld.gov.au.

Media contact for Minister Mickel: Jane Rowe 3237 1125 or Nathan Moir 3227 8842

8 October 2008 – Please call Ministers office for further details of featured artists