Talents discovered under skies

THE works of Indigenous artists from HM Prison Langi Kal Kal and Hopkins Correctional Centre are going on show as part of NAIDOC week.

Held at the Post Office Gallery, the exhibition is called Marra-Narrap Lakorra which means ‘under the blue skies’.

Featured are 35 works of mainly acrylic paintings on canvas related to the themes of family, country and freedom.

The participants are undertaking a Certificate II in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts and a Certificate II Mumgu-dhal tyama-tiyt programs via Federation TAFE.

“Our teachers in corrections work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to explore their story, culture and interests through various forms of art,” said Paul Mah, program coordinator from Corrections at Federation TAFE.

“The Marra-Narrap Lakorra show is a celebration of this exploration and showcases some excellent outcomes from the work being done in the corrections environment.”

Exhibition curator Shelley Hinton said the program allows the artists to discover new skills and talents.

“Many of the artists have incredible skill without realising it and are able to discover this through their involvement in the program that continues to be extremely successful,” she said.

“Some of the works are very moving, some speak to their loss of freedom, their love of their families and kin, and the significance of their totem and country and their cultural heritage.”

The exhibition is open to the public from 12pm until 5pm throughout NAIDOC week which runs from Sunday 2 until Sunday 9 July.