Opening on December 13, Caloundra Regional Gallery is proud to present Manggan – gather, gathers, gathering, the first national touring exhibition of contemporary works by award-winning artists from the Girringun Aboriginal Arts Centre.
From the Far North Queensland town of Cardwell, the 19 Girringun artists’ superbly handcrafted works, displayed alongside historical from the South Australian Museum and ephemera, including photographs, provide a unique opportunity for gallery visitors to view and engage with the distinctive Aboriginal rainforest art traditions and culture from the Girringun region.
The artists’ ancestral tools, Bagu (body) with Jiman (sticks), were traditionally used to make fire, but today have been transformed into an iconic art form by the Girringun artists.
Made from clay, timber and string, and painted with ochres, these artworks evoke the spirit of the old people.
The contemporary objects are instilled with newer values which reflect aesthetic taste, authenticity, economic pressures and an element of nostalgia.
Displayed side by side, the new and the old, the objects create a dialogue of contrast and of change.
Artists featured in the exhibition include Daniel Beeron, George Beeron Snr, Maureen Beeron, Theresa Beeron, Nancy Cowan, Nephi Denham, Sandra Escott, Tonya Grant, Judith Henry, Clarence Kinjun, Doris Kinjun, Abe Muriata, Alison Murray, Debra Murray, Emily Murray, John Murray, Ninney Murray, Sally Murray and Eileen Tep.
The exhibition will be on display until January 27, 2019.
Official Exhibition Opening
When: December 12, 5.30pm
Cost: Free
Description: Official exhibition opening event including an exhibition floor talk with Dr Valerie Keenan, Girringun Aboriginal Arts Centre manager. Complimentary nibbles and cash bar available for drink purchases.
Book: via the gallery website
Public Programs
What: Uncovered Floor Talk: with Abe Muriata
When: December 13, 10-11am
Cost: Free
Description: Abe is a Girramay Traditional Owner from the Cardwell Range area. He is a nationally-acknowledged weaver of the finely crafted, intricately constructed, bicornual baskets, Jawun, which are unique to the rainforest people.
Book: via the gallery website
What: Made by Hand: Mindi Workshop with Deborah Murray
When: December 13, 1-4pm
Cost: $30
Description: Mindi is a traditional grass basket historically used to carry message sticks. Be introduced to traditional weaving ideas and techniques unique to the Far North Queensland area by Deborah Murray. Create your own Mindi from plastic coated electricity wires to take home.
Book: via the gallery website
Manggan – gather, gathers, gathering is a partnership between Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre and the South Australian Museum and is being toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland. It is touring nationally to 14 venues in regional Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia throughout 2017 – 2021.
For details on all the exhibitions and workshops held at the gallery visit the gallery website – gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
You can also follow Caloundra Regional Gallery on Facebook and Instagram.
Owned and operated by Sunshine Coast Council, Caloundra Regional Gallery is located at 22 Omrah Avenue and is open Tuesday to Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am – 2pm.
BACKGROUND
The Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, based in Cardwell, represents artists from nine Traditional Owner Groups: the Nywaigi, Gugu Badhun, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Bandjin, Girramay, Gulnay, Jirrbal and Djiru people. The traditional country of these groups covers some 25,000 square kilometres of country from north of Townsville, south west to Clarke River, north to the Mission Beach area, west to Ravenshoe and east to include Hinchinbrook and the Family Group Islands.
