Exploring cultural identity and provoking discussions around Indigenous practices in Western settlements are the driving forces behind the mixed exhibition opening at Gloucester Gallery.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tamowrth artist, Jenna-Rose Orcher's Dots From My Heart exhibition of traditional Aboriginal artworks will run alongside Sydney filmmaker, Ryan Andrew Lee's moving image installation Wonnarua.
It's the first time both of these young creatives have exhibited in Gloucester Gallery with their works on display from Thursday June 17 until Sunday July 11.
Jenna-Rose Orcher is a Gamilaraay woman whose artwork reflects her exploration of identity and place within her culture.
Inspired by the natural environment and the political injustices of Indigenous people, Jenna uses earth tones in contrast with bright colours to explore her storytelling.
Every stroke within her paintings confirms the strength of Indigenous culture's past, present, and future.
Jenna-Rose believes her pieces are extremely important for white Australians to see as they are insights into the original storytelling and connections being shared from the world's oldest living culture.
"As this always was and always will be Aboriginal land."
During the exhibition, Ryan's short film will be on display.
Using his cinematography background and experimental documentary filmmaking techniques, Ryan aims to provoke discussion around themes of Indigenous ways of living within the Western culture.
Wonnarua is a contemplative moving image installation that juxtaposes footage of five Aboriginal people from the Wonnarua Nation with drone shots of the Muswellbrook coal mine, situated in the heart of the Wonnarua Nation.
Ryan's works are always created with the intent to educate, raise awareness of and offer up alternate perspectives on cultural, environmental and sometimes political issues, believing that we must investigate the past to understand the present.
He's driven by personal experience and experiences shared by family, friends and the wider community.
Dots From My Heart and Wonnarua open at Gloucester Gallery, 25 Denison Street on Thursday June 17 and will remain on display until Sunday July 11.
The gallery is open from Thursday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm and Sunday from 10am until 1pm. E
Entry is free.
The exhibition in the gallery during NAIDOC Week 2021, which runs from July 4 - 11. This year's theme is Heal Country.