Aussie indigenous art exhibition launched in Port Moresby

A NEW touring Australian indigenous visual arts exhibition called “Message Stick, an indigenous identity in urban Australia”, was launched at the Australian High Commission Chancery in Port Moresby on Tuesday.
The exhibition is produced by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in partnership with Artbank, and features a selection of significant work by 11 indigenous artists living in urban areas throughout Australia.
The images tell the stories of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.
“We are excited to be able to bring ‘Message Stick’ to Port Moresby to showcase it to the people of Papua New Guinea.
“I invite everyone to come to the Australian High Commission to have a look at this very special collection,” Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish said.
He said Australia’s commitment to embracing and celebrating the world’s oldest living culture was demonstrated through the department’s long-running indigenous visual arts touring programme and this exhibition in particular.
“The artworks in the exhibition are strongly influenced by the experiences of the Stolen Generation, however they offer humour and optimism and a moving political and social perspective of Australian history,” Kemish said.
‘Message Stick’ will be open to the general public in Port Moresby up to Friday, Dec 9, from 9am to 3pm on weekdays.
The exhibition has just finished a very successful display in Honiara, Solomon Islands.