Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute

Recently I paid a visit to Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. At the time it was host to several exhibitions.

 'Believe' by Peter Sharrock



The Mark, 2011,  mixed media



The exhbition consisting of several ceramic installations is a personal response to the Australian landscape. The works explore not only the land itself but also its inhabitants. The works which have a unique 'Honeycomb Style' are hand carved from ochre pigment, and posses a certain rawness and fragility. The body of work captures the moments in life in which you have to stand up for what you believe in and celebrates the freedom of choice and the ability to be resilient .

Imbued with positivity the exhibition combines ideas about contemporary urban life with issues of personal identity and cultural heritage.

Accompanying his installations, Sharrock has authored several poems. A particular poem I found to be highly inspirational was 'In Turn'.

In Turn

In turn we have  a thought

In turn we make a choice

In turn we make a plan

In turn we take action

In turn we move forward

In turn we find our own step

In turn we make our way

In turn we change what we used to be

Peter Sharrock 2011

The exhibition which is highly personal in its subject matter, yet completely universal at the same time is successful in presenting a body of unique contemporary art pieces which are thought provoking and demonstrate new concepts and ideas.

'We are the Young Women of this Land' by Sophie Abbottt

Captured by photographer Sophie Abbott, the exhibition promotes images of strong, powerful, and inspirational young Aboriginal women, who are considered to be exceptional role models for all young women and Aboriginal communities across South Australia. The images consist of members of the South Australian Aboriginal Young Women’s Committee, an initiative of Women’s  Health Statewide; Women’s and Children’s Health Network, SA Health.



Untitled, 2011, photograph



The studio and landscape portraits capture the strength, beauty and spirit of these young women.

The exhibition provides the general public with a glimpse into what they rarely see and inspires young Aboriginal women from communities from across South Australia to achieve their dreams, ingrained in the belief that if young women are able to feel proud of themselves, they will then be able to pass their pride on to their own children, who will then pass it on to their children for generations to come. Furthermore the exhibition depicts the constant connection between ones heritage and contemporary life.

Both the artist and young women presented within this beautiful collection of photographs have captured very powerful and strong messages.  The exhibition not only draws awareness to contemporary social and political plights of young Aboriginal women, particularly women’s health.The exhibition is positive in promoting Indigenous culture and rebutes all previous stereotypes of Indigenous people,  in particular Aboriginal women.  The exhibition is not only empowering to young Aboriginal women, but to all young women, including myself.

SOURCES:

Peter Sharrock Photo: http://www.tandanya.com.au/ed94/peter-sharrock-believe/

Sophie Abbott Photo: http://events.weekendnotes.com/we-are-the-young-women-of-this-land-photography-exhibition/