Friday Five: While You Were Sleeping Volume 2

Negative Space, Gumada A by Konstantina

As this is NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) week, I thought it would be appropriate to post these images from an exhibition at Kambri, the ANU, which I saw last month. It is presented in an outdoor space and is placed under lights; I saw it at night and the images reflect that atmosphere. The introduction - at either end of the walkway- states:

"While You Were Sleeping Volume 2 is a vibrant exhibition created by 12 First Nations artists from contemporary arts communities around Australia, communicating intensely personal and visual stories.

These 24 large-scale artworks examine the joy, despair, hope, anger and pride encountered in their quest to analyse and reflect upon history and secure recognition, equality and respect for First Nations cultures, heritage and people.

This year, in a cultural partnership with Ceremony - the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial by the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) - While You Were Sleeping Volume 2 proudly features the richly-hued pictorial narratives and incredibly powerful messages of these multi-generational emerging and established artists.

The works traverse a range of disciplines, including painting, illustration, photography, and digital art. Decals placed on the ground in front of each artwork summarise statements from the artist, allowing viewers to access the artist's vision, motivation, influences and intention."

5 Artists Featured in the Exhibition, While You Were Sleeping Volume 2:

Gooreen (Path of the Winds) by Wayne Quilliam

1. Wayne Quilliam

Gooreen (Path of the Winds) - "Clarity realised in a moment of terror. My essence a blurred ambiguous, and poetic insight of culture. Sedating both time and space, these linear creations find space within an atmosphere heavy with malice. A whisper in the darkness, an ambiguous blurring of reality. I will find the path of my ancestors."

Negative Space, Gumada B by Konstantina

2. Konstantina  

Negative Space, Gumada A & B "A further exploration of my Aboriginal identity, characterised by the absence (rather than the presence) of the distinguishing features making me who I am as an artist, mother, wife and woman. This is a deeply personal collection which identifies for me the 'haves' and 'have nots' of life, spirit and connection to Country through the lens of both Aboriginal and White Australians, both of which I am. Tree is spirit, and in a similar way to humans, tree needs to shed its unnecessary excesses in order to grow and remain healthy. A physical freeing of spirit. The literal interpretation is native gum bark waste, or is it indeed the excess we must rid ourselves of to move forward?"

Garranjini by Nardurna

3. Nardurna 

Garranjini - "My traditional Land is situated in the Gulf of Carpentaria and is under threat of fracking by major companies. I grew up on this land; I am it and it is me." 

Barbarra (Tell A Story) by Nardurna

Babarra (Tell A Story) - "This artwork is about having a safe, happy and healthy journey. It shows land, bush plums for health, flowers for growth and a journey."

4. Elizabeth Close 

Landscapes - "Landscapes speaks to the diversity of the landscapes across Australia and the Torres Strait Islands and deeper than this, our relationship with it. With every rock, plant, bird, insect, animal and grain of sand." 

Landscapes by Elizabeth Close

Topography - "The work, Topography, speaks to the enduring relationship and understanding that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with and of Country. There is the landscape, the palette, the textures you can see with our eyes; then there is the indelible understanding we have as Anangu, that speaks deeply to us spiritually. We can feel Country just as sharply as one can see it."

Topography by Elizabeth Close

5. Leah Brideson 

Life Source - "Life Source is a representation of the Naomi River in Gunnedah and Mooki River in Breeza, with parallels to the Murrumbidgee River in the ACT, particularly during the dry season. As a young child travelling back to Country, I always sensed a great connection to these tretched of water, particularly from hearing stories of my Dad and Grandmother playing down by the river with their siblings, cousins and friends. The dryness of my Country is depicted in the cracked earth, and the gradual vibrancy dots toward the river embody the importance of caring for our waterways that sustain life."

Life Source by Leah Brideson

Gadjigadji - "This piece titled Gadjigadji meaning 'regrowth' in Gamilaraay language, is a celebration of growth of country. It looks at the perspectives of trees and plants growing up from the ground, but also growing down, embedding their roots in Country and acknowledging strength and power in nurturing us."

Gadjigadji by Leah Brideson