Installation view of ‘Bark Salon’ on display in Wurrdha Marra at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne. Photo: Sean Fennessy.
Opened this week (14 October), NGV Australia has presented a new approach to First Nations bark painting with the impressive hang, Bark Salon. The opening coincides with the first anniversary of the ‘No’ vote on last year’s Referendum for a First Nations voice in Parliament.
Walking into this space, it is as though an arena of voices surrounds the viewer. It feels very fitting, and a silent and smart act of affirmation.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
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