Established in 2016, Brisbane City Council’s Indigenous Art Program is all about shining a light on our country’s original storytellers, making Indigenous art both accessible and visible for residents and visitors alike. This year’s exhibition, OUTstanding, celebrates the heroes within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families, history and the land itself. The spectacular line-up of artists includes Elisa Jane Carmichael, Jody Rallah, Kyra Mancktelow, Boneta-Marie Mabo, Chris Bassi, Mia Boe, Keemon Williams, Tori-Jay Mordey, Sam Harrison, Melissa Stannard, Dylan Mooney and LaVonne Bobongie. The exciting event invites us to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Australia’s First Nations people, not just through the visual art on display but also by way of a series of artist-led workshops, talks, studio visits (with acclaimed artists like Dylan Mooney and Tori-Jay Mordey) and walking tours with the curators.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Indigenous Art Program’s OUTstanding exhibition is its engagement with Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Gallery sites. In case you’ve never noticed, spots like Hutton Lane, Eagle Lane, King George Square Car Park, Fish Lane, Edison Lane, Irish Lane, Edward Street and even Howard Smith Wharves are all getting put to use as public art forums as part of Council’s Outdoor Gallery. From large-scale banners and light projections to vitrines and light boxes, there are sensory delights studded across our city … you just need to know where to look! For more detailed information on where to find art in Brisbane, check out this interactive map.
OUTstanding is curated by Blaklash Creative, a 100-percent Indigenous-owned business delivering cultural events and creative projects that showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. The exhibition is running as part of Brisbane City Council’s Indigenous Art program from May 7 to August 7. To learn more about the program, head to the Council website.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Brisbane City Council.
