Leading Indigenous sculpture coming to Melbourne Museum
Leading Indigenous sculpture coming to Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum will host Australia's most extensive touring exhibition of contemporary Indigenous sculpture with the launch of Menagerie: Contemporary
Indigenous Sculpture on December 16.
The groundbreaking exhibition features sculpture depicting a variety of animals
by 33 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, working in materials ranging
from ceramics to traditional materials such as wood and fibre.
The artists, representing every Australian state and territory, were selected by
exhibition curators Brian Parkes and Nicole Foreshew, and reflect the breadth
and variety of contemporary sculpture by Australian Indigenous artists.
Menagerie includes works by Victorian artist Treahna Hamm as well as fibre
works by Yvonne Koolmatrie from South Australia, ceramics by Judith Inkamala
from the Northern Territory, wood carving by Craig Koomeeta from Queensland
and work cast in bronze and aluminium by Dennis Nona from the Torres Strait
Islands.
"Menagerie is a wonderful exhibition showcasing the incredible diversity of work
by today's Indigenous artists," said Caroline Martin, Manager of Bunjilaka,
Melbourne Museum. "This exhibition shows how traditional Indigenous culture
and practice is seamlessly integrated with contemporary art making and ideas.
The result is a lively collection of work bound to capture visitors' imaginations."
Menagerie is developed by Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design and the Australian Museum,
Sydney. Its presentation at Melbourne Museum is part of Designed to Inspire, a series of exhibitions
dedicated to the recognition and promotion of the work of emerging and practising Australian designers.
Previous design exhibitions at Melbourne Museum include Premier's Design Awards and the Bombay
Sapphire Design Discovery Award Exhibition.
Menagerie 16 December - 21 February (free with general admission)
Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton
Adults $8, children and concessions FREE
For further information visit museumvictoria.com.au or phone 13 11 02.
Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri, Jurrukukuni (Owl) 2008.
Courtesy the artist and Jilamara Arts and Crafts. Photo: Australian Museum
