Exhibition takes over Platform Arts

A MONTH-LONG First Nations exhibit is officially underway at Geelong’s Old Courthouse Building following a successful opening night last Saturday.

Thirteen First Nations artists living on Wadawurrung Country will have their artwork on display until September 22 as part of two site-wide exhibitions ‘Keepers of the Flame’ and ‘YOOKAPA – it burns for us’ at Platform Arts in Geelong.

The free public exhibit, named Blak Out @ Platform, is led by proud Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong woman Tarryn Love and Noongar, Ngapuhi and Ngati Tuwharetoa woman Kiri Tawhai.

The exhibition has been described as a “creative venue takeover” featuring colourful murals and detailed artistic works.

“YOOKAPA is to give and receive,” Ms Love said.

“As action, as purpose, and as a method of practice, it is to build relationships through interconnectedness, collaboration, exchange and reciprocity.

“It reiterates what it means to be part of the Blak community and honours the way that Blackfullas not only relate to one another but also to Country, to kin, and to story.

“This exhibition is our living and breathing flame, a place to develop, explore and experiment with creative and cultural practice as well as being a space for autonomy and agency in how we tell our stories.

“Within this collective glow, each artist holds their own fire.”

The ‘Keepers of the Flame’ exhibition is Wurri-Ki Art founders Norm Jurrawaa Stanley and Nikki McKenzie’s first major presentation.

The exhibition aims to create, educate, and celebrate their knowledge of First Nations practices to others.

Mr Stanley said the Keepers of the Flame exhibit is an integral piece of his belief system.

“When I first started thinking about the most suitable title for our exhibition, I kept coming back to this,” Mr Stanley said.

“Everything we learn becomes our knowledge to carry; every story we hear becomes a part of that knowledge.

“The knowledge shared with me by my senior people, my elders, and old people is shared with me with the expectation that I will honour them and pass on that knowledge.

“My hands become an important part of passing on the stories that were passed on to me.”

Other artists with works on display include Jessi Rebel, Savanah Jenkins, Indie Bell, Bri Pengarte Apma Hayes, Bindy Wicks, Idris McChesney, Kelsey Love, Lowell Hunter, Gerard Pol, Kiri Tawhai and Ms Love.

Geelong’s Old Courthouse Building is located at 60 Little Malop Street with opening hours of 9am-5pm from Monday to Friday.

Head to www.platformarts.org.au for more information on the exhibit.