Regional artists take centre stage at Museum of Australian Democracy

LAST NIGHT former director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Edmund Capon, launched a new art exhibition in the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House focusing on the role regional communities play in the social and artistic landscape of our nation.

Jimmy Thaiday – Burner, 2015

The Federal Minister for the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield, was also in attendance at the launch of “Right Here Now: a powerful regional voice in our democracy.”

Highlighting the influence and prominence of rural voices in Australian democratic society, the show has provided a channel for regional artists to convey their political opinion through creative design.

Brian Robinson – Ari Puilag [Maker of the rain], 2015

An initiative between Regional Arts Australia and MoADOPH, the exhibition showcases 18 artists from around the country, paired together in a mentorship project. The artists explore ideals of equality, respect and the unique mix of cultures that make up modern Australia. They explore the connection between regional communities and our political society.

Raymond Arnold – Off the Grid – Constructing Settlement, Constructing Memory, 2015

“Here we see renowned regional and remote artists, many of whom have works in the nation’s most significant collections. These artists have mentored other local artists and it has been gratifying to observe how the depth of those mentor relationships has not only enriched this exhibition, but also laid the ground for new professional careers,” said John Oster, Executive Director, and Regional Arts Australia.

Artists involved in the exhibition include Brian Robinson, a distinguished artist who recently won the Western Australia Indigenous Art Award and Jimmy Thaiday, a familiar face at many group exhibitions and prizes including the Telstra Indigenous Art Awards.

Five of the artists involved in the exhibition, including Brian Robinson, Jimmy Thaiday, Donna Fortescue, Rick Ball, Raymond Arnold and Jessie Pangas will be available for interviews at 3pm today.

“Right Here Now: a powerful regional voice in our democracy,” is at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House until March 2016.

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