First Nations artwork unveiled on Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment

THE first of four specially commissioned First Nations artworks has been unveiled, an exciting milestone for the Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment.

Appearing on the external Western Façade of the redeveloped centre will be proud Wadawurrung Woman and award-winning contemporary artist Kait James’ work, which focuses on presenting Indigenous perspectives with familiar pop-cultural references using Aboriginal Souvenir Tea Towels from the 1970s and 1980s that generalise and stereotype her culture.

According to the Geelong Arts Centre, an integral part of the Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment has been building a meaningful connection to Country and the wider Geelong community through its design.

Using humour and vivid colours across 193 panels, Mrs James addresses the way white western culture has dominated Australia’s history and endeavours to develop and use her art in ways that encourages responsiveness, unity and optimism.

“I am so honoured and proud to be a part of this important project,” James said.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think my artwork would be on the facade of such a prominent and iconic building on Wadawurrung Country, and at this massive scale.

“I hope this artwork starts conversations, changes perceptions but also celebrates culture and visibility.”

Sourcing her chosen canvas largely from op shops, Kait uses a punch needle to embroider over the top of Aboriginal calendar tea towels to change the narrative, give the tea towels new life, and give herself a voice.

To create the panels, Kait used high resolution images of her original artworks, scaled up and adjusted digitally to ensure the colour saturation matched the originals and that imagery was clear.

Wadawurrung Woman Corrina Eccles was on hand for the first unveiling of the commissioned artworks and said the new project would be a vehicle of education for the community.

“Art, stories, song and dance started 60,000 years ago on this land, and to have Kait, Wadawurrung Woman, and other First Nations artists bringing a narrative of Art, stories, sound and the layers of Country throughout the building will educate many.”

The Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment is backed with a $140 million investment from the Victorian Government and is on track for completion in the second half of 2023.

For further information regarding Geelong Arts Centre’s Little Malop Street Redevelopment, visit geelongartscentre.org.au/about-us/little-malop-street[1]redevelopment