Witness Aussie indigenous art from February 14

Mumbai will get to sample Australian indigenous art at a special exhibition this week.
‘Message Stick – Indigenous Identity in Urban Australia’ at Cymroza Art Gallery at Breach Candy will feature a selection of significant works by artists from the field of contemporary urban art in Australia.

Australian Consul General Steve Waters said, “Message Stick has been on a global tour of 10 countries. The exhibition will reflect the contributions of the aboriginal communities and the Torres Strait Islanders of the Australian society.”

According to Waters, Message Stick is a unique socio–political perspective of contemporary Australian history and culture. “We are pleased to bring this exhibition to Cymroza Art Gallery. We hope people enjoy it,” he said.

Aboriginal artist Reko Rennie, whose work will be a part of the expo, said, “The diamond geometric iconography used in my work represents my association with the Kamilaroi people. The pattern can be likened to a coat of arms — there are four male symbols and four female ones that denote four different language groups within the community.”

On his visit to India he said, “I’m very excited about my first visit to India and am looking forward to the experience.”

The launch on February 13 will be attended by the Australian Women’s cricket team and see a Tjupurru performance. (Tjupurru is an indigenous didjeribone player who recently performed at the Sula Wine Fest and The Kala Ghoda Festival.)

The exhibition, which will be open to the public from February 14–23, is presented by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Artbank and will be showcased in Vietnam next.

Yogesh Pawar  l @powerofyogesh