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This newsletter is created to keep supporters of the Birrung Gallery informed of upcoming events and current news. Please let us know your details if you'd like to be added to the Birrung Mailing List.
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Dear friend of Birrung Welcome to the first newsletter of 2008 to keep you informed of news and coming events. URGENT NEWS: MYANMAR CYCLONE EMERGENCY The devastating cyclone that struck Myanmar on 2 May has claimed tens of thousands of lives and left more than a million people homeless. Funds are needed now to assist survivors, both immediately and for long-term rehabilitation to rebuild homes and livelihoods. Please support World Vision's Myanmar cyclone appeal by making a secure donation via our website or by calling 13 32 40. For information about World Vision programs (both domestic and international) visit our website at www.worldvision.com.au BIRRUNG NEWS  One of the many items in the forthcoming Indigenous Art market Birrung welcomed Dean Lake to our staff in April. Dean is the third Indigenous trainee to work at the gallery in the past five years. He has been recruited through the AFL Sports Ready program and is therefore a keen footballer (and cricketer). Dean will spend 12 months with Birrung Gallery learning many aspects of running a small business, working with Indigenous artists and communities. World Vision Australia has recruited a new leader for its Australia Programs which encompass the various Indigenous projects throughout the country. Dr. Mark Moran has commenced in World Vision's Melbourne Head Office after working in Alice Springs with the Centre for Appropriate Technology. We welcome Mark on board at this crucial time of expansion in our work with Indigenous communities. Birrung manager Greg Mallyon was a keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of DESART held in Alice Springs before Easter. DESART is the peak body which represents the remote area art centres encompassing the Central Australian/Western Desert area. These art centres are often the lifeblood of their communities working to ensure artists are protected from exploitation and promoting their careers at a national and international level. CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS BLITZ BIRRUNG In mid-April, the gallery had a "makeover" courtesy of a group of enthusiastic volunteers from the Sydney office of MLC. Painting and maintaining the gallery walls, sculpture plinths and mobile partitions is an ongoing task for Birrung staff and we welcomed the MLC team who transformed the gallery in less than a day. Many corporations offer to donate time or services to World Vision and this practical example was much appreciated. Volunteers were treated to an informal introduction to Indigenous art at the conclusion of the 'paint-athon' and hopefully were able to remove the paint that found its way onto their clothes, shoes and hair. VISITORS TO BIRRUNG While the gallery receives visitors from all walks of life (including the occasional celebrity), we have enjoyed showing several interstate and international curators through our exhibition space and stock room. They have included staff from the Queensland Art Gallery, the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris and the National Museum of Scotland. WIDER INDIGENOUS ISSUES As Australia's largest overseas aid organisation, World Vision actively lobbies corporations, government and communities on a broad range of issues. Our CEO Tim Costello has met with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on several occasions and was actively involved in the recent 2020 Summit. In our dealings with over 25 remote area communities we can report there is a mixed response to the "Howard Intervention", with some communities expressing anger and concern while others reporting on positive outcomes. 2008 promises to be a significant year for Indigenous Australians after the Federal Government apology attracted significant international attention to the ongoing issues of Indigenous poverty, ill health and poor living conditions. While those of us working with remote communities see or hear of this on a daily basis, many urban Australians remain surprised and sometimes sceptical about the size and scale of such problems. In July, Birrung will host an exhibition titled "My House" which will feature paintings by Central Australian artists. While for many of us home ownership and a comfortable, warm and spacious house is reality, this is not the case in remote communities. We are delighted the new Federal Minister for Housing, Hon. Tanya Plibersek, will officially open this terrific exhibition. COMING EXHIBITIONS
Aside from "My House" in late July, we have a great line up in 2008.
SENIOR MEN'S EXHIBITION The Senior Men's Exhibition celebrates the survival of ancient Indigenous culture in a modern world. Most of these men lived a traditional nomadic life in their early years untouched by Western civilisation. With them come thousands of years of knowledge, Dreamtime legends and powerful images that are unique to their particular homeland. We highly commend a visit to this exhibition open from 10 - 27 May. CHARITY ART AUCTION Our second charity art auction with the local Police and Community Youth Club will include works by well-known Sydney and Melbourne artists who have generously donated paintings and prints. We are currently selling tickets for a raffle which will be drawn on the night. Please phone Birrung on (02) 95509964 if you would like to buy some tickets as the prizes are terrific.
 One of the works from Josette's forthcoming solo exhibition In late June, Birrung will host the first solo exhibition of an emerging talent from the Tiwi Islands. The daughter of leading Bathurst Island artist Jean Baptiste Apuatimi, Josette Orsto has already come to the attention of institutions such as the National Gallery of Victoria because of her distinctive paintings. Art lovers who want to invest in a promising artist who paints sophisticated and monochromatic images are urged not to miss this show. ART4AID ART COMPETITION & EXHIBITION COMES TO SYDNEY Last year, World Vision hosted this national art competition in Melbourne. It was launched by the Governor of Victoria before a large crowd including the excited prize-winning artists. In July 2008, Birrung will host this competition and exhibition in our Sydney gallery. It will coincide with the launch of Connecting Lives, World Vision's exciting new interactive exhibition recreating the life of an African child, to be staged at Sydney's Hyde Park Barracks. Convict housing was definitely luxurious compared to what many people still experience in parts of Africa! Both events are expected to draw significant crowds and place the spotlight on World Vision's international projects. YUENDUMU ARTISTS After the landmark "My House" exhibition in July, in August we will welcome a brother and sister act - two of the talented children of major artist Paddy Japaljarri Sims and his equally significant wife Bessie Sims. Paddy, as senior elder of Yuendumu, has been a driving force behind the Warlukurlangu art centre for decades and his son Otto and daughter Ormay are emerging as potential stars of the future. Otto has been taught the major Dreamings by his father and the results are powerful images that are beautifully painted. JIM NYUKUTI While this name may not be familiar to art lovers, this elder from the remote area of Docker River is going to delight collectors. He is part of the recent phenomena of elderly Aboriginals who have only begun painting of late and producing amazing works that are rich in tradition.
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