Brian Stevens and Uncle Anthony Egan at the NAIDOC Art Exhibition in Wonthaggi.
Christian Brown one of the artists at the NAIDOC Art 2024 exhibition, which opened on the weekend.
Exhibition organiser Mary Mustears and Anne Davie.
Patrice Mahoney and Aunty Bev Munro at the exhibition opening.
Laurita Thomas one of the artists at the NAIDOC Art 2024 exhibition, which opened on the weekend.
Josh West from Bunurong Land Council and Steve Fuery, Bass Coast Health at the smoking ceremony for the opening of the NAIDOC Art 2024 exhibition.
Aunty Doseena Fergie and Josh West at the smoking ceremony for the opening of the NAIDOC Art 2024 exhibition.
Uncle Anthony Egan and Josh West of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
The fantastic team from the Bass Coast/South Gippsland Reconciliation Group.
Over 100 people gathered to celebrate the opening of the NAIDOC Art exhibition on the weekend.
Artists featured in the NAIDOC Art 2024 exhibition.
First Nations artists, community and allies gathered at Wonthaggi ArtSpace to officially open the 20th First Nations Art Exhibition for Bass Coast.
Over 120 people gathered for the Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country by Josh West from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
After the Welcome, everyone moved inside to hear a selection of artists speak from the heart about what the exhibition and NAIDOC means to them.
Attendees then had the opportunity to enjoy the artworks and engage with the artists, gaining deeper insights into the stories and inspirations behind each piece.
The exhibition features stunning pieces from 15 different First Nations artists from Bass Coast and South Gippsland that beautifully showcase the rich culture and heritage of First Nations Peoples.
NAIDOC Week First Nations Art Exhibition and ongoing virtual exhibition is proudly organised by the Bass Coast/South Gippsland Reconciliation Group and runs until Sunday August 11 showcasing local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. It is also online at www.naidoc-art.com.au/
NAIDOC Week is celebrated around Australia and is an opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.
The NAIDOC Week 2024 theme is, "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud". The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The exhibition is supported by Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group: Phillip Island Nature Parks, Westernport Water, Myli – My Community Libraries, Bass Coast Health, Bass Coast Shire Council, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group.
Quotes from artists
Patrice Mahoney OAM
"This is the twentieth year. It started off with me and some friends and sticking flagpoles on dowel with thumbtacks and sticking them in pot plants out the front of the old Miners' Rest Hotel in Wonthaggi, then we went to Inverloch. I would like to acknowledge that it's NAIDOC Week. And the fire is still burning, and here we are. And here we stand amongst the tragedies of the past, we've survived and we're fighters and we're stronger, and probably a bit louder than ever."
Safina Stewart
"We get to share our stories and be proud. And that's the whole point of NAIDOC Week and why I'm so proud to be here. When I get to see the young people also sharing their stories, we get so excited and also the older people who have a little bit more story. Being able to share, isn't that just joy and hope and fulfillment? I just feel so proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community for continuing to show up and how beautiful that we can do this locally."
Aunty Lizzie
"I've got artworks in the exhibition that are based on dreams I have from the Elders from the past and they're all called Spirit men. And it's a tribute to our culture, to our history and to showing our culture and that we're the longest living culture of all time. Our women are the forefront - a lot of them will keep going strong for our next generations."
Dr Bev Munro - Bass Coast Reconciliation Network Co-Chair
"The Network's objectives are to action and champion reconciliation and recognition in the Bass Coast region, connect and support with collaborative initiatives, drive positive social change, and create empowerment and capacity for the First Nations community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are resilient, they are strong, they hold their culture and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are reclaiming and reviving cultural practices that had almost been lost. What we're seeing around us in these artworks is that reclamation, and that celebration, that resilience, or what Anishinaabe scholar Gerald Vizenor called survivance. Survivance is a demonstration of strength and resistance, and a representation of an enduring culture in which traditions and customs are alive, and present, not absent. These artists show what is it to be Blak, loud and proud.
