Weapons for the Soldier to open
A new exhibition featuring some of Australia's most important Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists will open at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery (BVRG) on 15 November.
6 November 2019
A new exhibition featuring some of Australia’s most important Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists will open at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery (BVRG) on 15 November.
Weapons for the Soldier brings together 41 important artists who have made new work to examine complex and varied responses to weaponry, warfare, and their connection to protecting land and country.
Twenty-seven of the artists are from the art centres of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara (APY) Lands of central Australia, while the 14 invited artists are some of Australia’s most important Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists (including Ben Quilty, George Gittoes, Shaun Gladwell, Alex Seton, Jonathan Jones and Danie Mellor).
Weapons for the Anangu Soldier is a subject that senior APY artist Ray Ken has explored in his paintings throughout his career. With his permission and encouragement, along with the support of other senior men who often paint weapons and stories of conflict, the young Indigenous artists have explored what it means to be a soldier today and to fight to protect your land and culture.
BVRG Director, Iain Dawson, said fighting for Country and a deep connection to Country are recurrent themes that are explored throughout the exhibition, evocative of both the broader tenets of the ANZAC legacy and the distinct position of Indigenous people within Australia.
“The exhibition and these vitally important themes have resonated with audiences across Australia and we are very much looking forward to dialogue being fostered here in the Bega Valley,” Mr Dawson said.
“Those attending the exhibition will experience works that promote conversations around multi-geographical and multigenerational fights for land, Country and freedom experienced by Australians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, as well as the Indigenous experience in Australian military history.”
Weapons for the Soldier will be officially opened at 6pm on Friday, 15 November at will run through until 8 February 2020.
For more information on the exhibition and the gallery programs visit https://gallery.begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Photograph: Kunmanara (Mumu Mike) Williams, Kunmanara (Willy Muntjantji) Martin and Sammy Dodd Kulila! (Listen!) 2018. Ink and acrylic marker pen on canvas and mailbag, with kulata (spear) made from punu (wood), malu pulyku (kangaroo tendon) and kiti (natural plant-based resin). 216 x 230 cm
Courtesy of the artists and Mimili Maku Arts
END
Making an enquiry
All media enquiries and interview requests are coordinated by Council's Communication and Events team under the adopted Communications Policy. To view this policy, visit Public Policies and search 'communications'.
To submit a media enquiry or to request an interview:
- email media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
- call 02 6499 2222
Councillors
Councillors can be contacted directly for enquiries regarding decisions of the elected Council and non-operational matters. Interviews with the Mayor should be arranged through the Communication and Events team contact details above.
Receiving information
If you’re a journalist or media organisation that would like to receive media releases and notifications about media opportunities, please email your name, title and contact details to media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au and we will add you to our distribution list.
You can also subscribe to Bega Valley Together and Business News, Council's fortnightly e-newsletters, or follow @begavalleyshirecouncil on Facebook and Instagram.
© Bega Valley Shire Council 2024
Our council websites
Contact Us
- 02 6499 2222
- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
-
Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550 -
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia -
ABN: 26 987 935 332
Was this helpful?