Art gallery director Ian Tully said the exhibition, titled Connections, features creative works from 17 regional Aboriginal artists with deep connections to the Swan Hill region. The exhibited works include historical photographs, traditional weaving, paintings, wood burnings, ceramics and works on paper.
“The exhibition will pay tribute to the ancestors who influenced their descendants’ art and showcase the region’s complex and rich heritage,” Mr Tully said.
“This will be the first time the entirety of the gallery has been dedicated to an exhibition of our Swan Hill region’s Aboriginal art.”
Mr Tully said the gallery was delighted to be collaborating with Swan Hill artists Suzanne Connelly-Klidomitis and Ricky Kirby, who have co-curated the Connections exhibition.
“Connections is a celebration of the remarkable work from artists of this region.
“The exhibition includes pieces by master weavers and artists with significant national profiles, whose work has been collected or commissioned by leading public galleries and museums, including the National Gallery of Victoria.
“Walking through Connections, you will be filled with a sense of wonder at the artworks shared – through stories, skills and techniques learnt and handed down over generations,” Mr Tully said.
Mr Kirby encouraged Swan Hill locals to visit the exhibition.
“To me it is very exciting to have all these established artists from our local mob all here at the one time, which has never been done before,” he said.
The exhibition has been scheduled to coincide with both National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
Connections is now open and will run through until July 17.
