Walkabout
February 2013
Mixing traditional culture with contemporary elements, Aboriginal artists Charlotte (Penny) Hood, Bradley Brown (Gunai Kurnai Bidawal) and Cassie Harrap (Taungurung Wurundjeri) will be showing their works as part of the East Gippsland Aboriginal Arts Corporation and in conjunction with the Yalukit Wilum Ngargee Indigenous Arts and Culture Festival.
Featuring Hood’s signature bright colours, Brown’s strong spiritual influence and Harrap’s deeply emotional overtones, the ‘Walkabout’ exhibition displays the artists’ distinctly different styles which manage to complement one another and fuse together into a thought-provoking yet delightful show.
Bradley Brown, of the tribes Gunai Kurnai Bidawal and Gunditjmara, describes his style of painting as ‘contemporary mixed with traditional’ Aboriginal art with a focus on symbols and stories.
“I am also a Christian and paint what I have seen and experienced throughout my life,” he adds. “I have a strong passion for painting and the stories I tell through my art, I also enjoy people’s reaction to my paintings which keeps me motivated and I look forward to my future in art and where it will take me.”
Cassie Harrap, belonging to the Yeerun-Illam-Balug clan of the Taungurung people and the Wurundjeri people, says she has enjoyed painting with a variety of mediums from a very young age and strives to be as expressive and unique as possible in her works.
“I feel I have an ongoing responsibility to keep our culture alive,” she says. “Through my artwork and workshops, I hope that I am contributing to this.”
Born in Orbost, Charlotte Hood – or ‘Penny’ as she is known to family and friends – moved to Nowa Nowa, Bruthen and now resides in Bairnsdale, still describing herself as a proud Kurnai woman, strong in her culture and expressing herself through her art.
“I paint because it makes me feel good – it eases my soul,” she says.
Influenced by her cultural heritage, her memories and critical events, Hood reveals she often works throughout the night, especially after returning from visits with her Aunty who inspires her with stories from the old days.
“It’s good to remember when life was fun!”
Officially established in 1997, the East Gippsland Aboriginal Arts Corporation was put together by a group of enthusiastic Koori artists and performers to protect their culture and develop their artistic talents. The key principle of the corporation has been to ensure independence and self-determination in the presentation, practice, marketing and sales of local Koori arts and crafts, and it continues to grow and build its reputation as a strong artist supporter.
‘Walkabout’ is showing at Alliance Française, Eildon Gallery, 51 Grey Street, St Kilda from now until March 15.
afmelbourne.com.au/culture-and-events/exhibitions/walkabout-exhibition
Images:
Cassie Harrap, 2012, The land as I see it, acrylic and mixed media on canvas 183 x 122cm
Bradley Brown, 2012, Grandmother
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