About the Exhibitions
Two new exhibitions explore themes of truth-telling and resistance.
The Strelley Mob
Animation and historical archive immerses us in Pilbara history and language.
N'yettin-ngal Wagur - Yeye Wongie [Ancestors breath - Today talk] (Guest Curator: Zali Morgan]
Four new commissions by early-career Noongar artists responding to The Carrolup Collection.
This exhibition will be on display at the John Curtin Gallery 10 May - 7 July 2024
Opening Event: Wednesday 8 May 2024
Exhibition: 9 May – 8 July 2024
Supported By: Lotterywest and Wesfarmers Arts
The Strelley Mob
The Strelley Mob are the descendants of the Pilbara pastoral workers who went on strike in 1946 and went on to run their own mines and stations. The stories of the Strelley Mob – of hunting, pearl shell gathering, mining and organising themselves against a hostile government – were written and illustrated by elders for their children when they opened their own school. These original story books are jewels of Pilbara history, artefacts of a creative community making their own art and literature after generations of struggle. Their drawings, including some the first known art by Nyapuru (William) Gardiner, are here newly animated and projected alongside paintings and artefacts that bring the history of the Strelley Mob to life.
Project Sponsors: Nomads Charitable and Educational Foundation, The Australian Research Council, DLGSC Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre and the School of Design, University of Western Australia
N’yettin-ngal Wagur – Yeye Wongie [Ancestors breath – Today talk]
N’yettin-ngal Wagur – Yeye Wongie [Ancestors Breath – Today Talk] is curated by emerging Noongar curator Zali Morgan (Whadjuk, Balladong and Wilman peoples) and brings together four early-career Noongar artists — Amanda Bell, Brett Nannup, Lea Taylor and Tyrown Waigana. Each artist has been commissioned to produce a new artwork in response to The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork.
Through a diverse range of mediums and styles the artists bring to the present-day the intertwined stories of the Carrolup child artists and their own personal context. The commissions reflect the aesthetics, design and themes present in the original Carrolup works, honouring Noongar histories and the enduring legacy of the Carrolup artists and ancestors.
Supported By: Lotterywest, Wesfarmers Arts
