First Nations exhibition to open Platform Arts’ 2022 program

Platform Arts will start their 2022 gallery program with a celebration of First Nations people, place and art.

Opening on January 21 in Gallery One, Still Here, Now is a First Nations curated exhibition led by Gunditjmara Keerray Wooroong women and Koorroyarr Arts founders, Tarryn Love and Kelsey Love, alongside Naarm-based artist and researcher, Jahkarli Romanis, with Amber Smith of Platform Arts.

The exhibition captures what it means to be “still here, now” from a First Nations ancestral perspective.

The range of cultural and creative practices included in this show celebrates diversity through demonstrating the narrative sovereignties present in each of the works.

These sovereignties are informed and made known to the artists through their relationships with their ancestors.

Including works from artists based on Wadawurrung Country, Naomi Edwards, Bri Pengarte Apma Hayes, Lowell Hunter, Kait James, Tarni Jarvis, Kelsey Love, Tarryn Love, Jahkarli Romanis and Norm Stanley, the art acknowledges how First Nations ancestors continue to survive, despite determined existence, and the challenges presented in the face of colonialism as drawn from notions presented in “Dear Ancestor” by Professor Chelsea Watego.

Still Here, Now is a celebration of the artists’ stories, experiences, connection to place, Country and family, and to each other.

The artist’’ responsibilities of being here, now are driven by the force and feeling of those behind them, but also what they leave for those beyond them.

To further cement this commemoration, Still Here, Now will host a special opening night event on January 21, 2022 from 6-8pm, presenting live First Nations performances and activities, as well as encouraging community gathering on Wadawurrung land.

Based on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong, Platform Arts works with artists and creative practitioners across all disciplines to develop and sustain rigorous and critical artistic practice, and to test and present new experimental and contemporary works to regional and national audiences.

The exhibition will be available for public viewing from Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm until February 18.

For more information about Still Here, Now, head to the Platform Arts website.