Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative

The much anticipated Boomalli Annual Exhibition to coincide with the Sydney Mardi Gras returns with 'Pink Sunrise' an important showcase fleshing out issues of Indigeneity and sexuality in contemporary Australia. 

Indigenous Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Kweer and Sistagirls identified by many different tribally specific names and community positions have been living, loving and creating art since time immemorial.

Unfortunately, the colonial solutions to sexuality, gender, romance and marriage involve promoting and enforcing non-indigenous constructs of sexuality, which carry damaging baggage from centuries ago in the Victorian Era.  

For over 15 years Boomalli has included a Mardi Gras fringe showcase in its exhibitions program. After missing the Boomalli Mardi Gras show in 2010, we return this year with Boomalli representing Indigenous perspectives from some of the most interesting and revered artists, both established and emerging.

The artists are from all over the country exploring the interplay of culture and sexuality including Destiny Deacon, Jeffrey Samuels, Arone Meeks, Karla Dickens, Clinton Nain, Jenny Fraser, Clint Lingard, Nicole Boeree and other shining lights who will continue the work that has come before and help clear a path for present and future generations.

'Pink Sunrise' at Boomalli is one of very few venues allowing for a dialogue about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues regarding sexual diversity and difference during Sydney Mardi Gras 2011.

Dates: 11th March - 11th April 2011

Please join us for the official opening: 
at the Boomalli Gallery, 55 Flood St, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW, Australia... Friday 11th March, 2011; 
from 6-8pm.

the Gallery is open 11 am until 4pm; Tuesday til Sunday

ph: 02 9560 2541

To be opened by Mayor of Leichhardt - ­Jamie Parker
Special Guest Co – Chair of Mardi Gras – Steph Sands
contact Boomalli Gallery 02 9560 2451

All media & press inquiries: Jess De La Hunty
jessdelahunty@hotmail.com
0415 662 931
facebook 'Pink Sunrise' event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195418223809658

*image featured above: 'pink and black' 2010, digital photo on canvas by Jenny Fraser and view some more of the artworks from 'Pink Sunrise':

'Deacon an Australian Artist born of KuKu (Far North Queensland) and Erub / Mer (Torres Strait) Peoples, constructs powerful political messages about race, gender, violence and sexuality from dolls postcards and other pieces of kitsch that preserve stereotypes.  Deacons use of dolls in photographs is not metaphorical; in her view it accurately describes the white dominant culture's imaginary.  As Deacon confirms "I think blak dolls represent us as people. I don't think white Australia, or whatever you want to call it, sees us as people."3  In Dance Little Lady (1994/2000), a photographic quartet, the bobbing and weaving dolly is dressed in the colours of the Aboriginal flag.' 

Martha Langford, from the essay 'Unstilled Lives Destiny Deacon and Evergon' in the book 'image and imagination' McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP, 2005

http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/2/Destiny_Deacon/profile

This body of work was produced during the build up to the big floods in Brisbane and titled after Cyclone “Yasi” hit the far north of Queensland.

The three central themes behind these works are that of human connection, relationship to place and the nature of environment. Concurrent and important sub-themes which overlapped into this workshop, with master printmaker Theo Tremblay, were issues relating to World Aids Day and domestic violence - two visual campaigns on issues directly affecting the Indigenous communities.

Key elements, for this effect, are references to Keith Haring in his “Silence = Death” poster and, for domestic violence, that of the Mouth/Hand/Heart – three motifs which follow each other in the chain of violence, yet work equally in restoring/repairing relationships.

In some of the works a boat contains interlocking plants, like couples travelling the same journey. Other images are mangrove branches, Torres Strait Island pigeons, Irrukandji jellyfish and mangrove figures. These images have become both personal and geographical location markers relating to our place in Tropical North Queensland.

I believe the choice of colours used in this series represent zest, renewal and a youthful and positive outlook to the future. It is hoped that the response to these monoprints has an impact on both indigenous and non indigenous communities. 

web: http://www.aronemeeks.com 

I'm at the borderline of my faith, 
I'm at the hinterland of my devotion 
In the frontline of this battle of mine 
But I'm still alive 

I'm a soldier of love
Every day and night 
I'm soldier of love 
All the days of my life 

I've been torn up inside                                                     
                                                                                                                                             I've been left behind 
                                                                                         So I ride 
                                                                                         I have the will to survive 

                                                                                         In the wild wild west, 
                                                                                         Trying my hardest 
                                                                                         Doing my best 
                                                                                         To stay alive 

                                                                                         I am love's soldier! 

                                                                                         I wait for the sound 

                                                                                         *Song Lyrics by SADE 'Soldier of Love' 2010

web: http://www.cybertribe.culture2.org/jennyfraser 

Born and bred in South Sydney now living in the Northern Rivers, the iconic South Sydney Rabbit has a strong visual impact as I travel the roads of N.S.W.

The images 'Hunting for Rabbits' didnt involve much hunting, infact they were simply everywhere I looked last december when i spent time with my brother living in Botany for Christmas. From his safety helmet on the bathroom floor, to his neighbors mailbox rabbits bounced around the streets in vast numbers.

It is said the team's name of the South Sydney RABBITOHS came from the spruking of "Rabbithohs, Rabbitohs" that the driver of a horse and cart laiden with dead rabbits would shout around the streets of Souths Sydney. Always helping to provide a fresh cheap feed.  

The essence of this body of work is one of belonging, of ownership, a bringing together of two cultures,  two worlds with a passion and connection to a football team. The football game was always a part of my life with Redfern oval our place of worship.

Even though I have only watched a small number of games with serious interest, I am always reminded where I have come from, this can happen spotting a little white rabbit on the back windscreen of a car in down town Casino, red and green socks on a school boy waiting at a bus stop in Liverpool, or hearing the game score revisited on the nightly news.

web: http://karladickens.com.au