Aboriginal art means business for Strong Women of Epenarra

Friday, March 4, 2011

The 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day will be celebrated at the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery in the Hunter Valley on 8 March with a visit from two women from Epenarra Artists, a remote Aboriginal art group in the Northern Territory.

Epenarra Artists are developing skills for self-management with the assistance of World Vision Australia. The project provides training, employment and income in remote areas. 

“We’re excited to be hosting the Epenarra Artists Kaye Beasley and Gladys Beasley at our special event celebrating International Women’s Day,” said Virginia Mitchell, Director of the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery.

“The Epenarra Artists have exhibited in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and have one piece of work in the Cessnock Gallery’s Strong Women Strong Painting Strong Culture exhibition currently on display.

 “The exhibition acknowledges the accomplishments of female aboriginal artists who are using art to keep their culture and communities strong. It includes 50 works by 42 leading Indigenous women painters, fibre artists and print makers from across the Central and Western Deserts.”

A number of events will take place at the Gallery on International Women’s Day including a presentation by World Vision’s Art Project Manager Liz Mullen who will speak about the development of Epenarra Artists.

“The Epenarra Artists have made great strides in the past year. Three women are currently working towards a Certificate III in Arts Administration which has not only encouraged artistic growth but also developed their business skills,” Ms Mullen said. 

“The artists have opened their own bank account and have registered themselves as a business. They work on all aspects of the art program from cutting and stretching canvas, to handling money, making sales and working with customers.

“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, participating in the growing Indigenous art market has many benefits. It helps to keep language and culture strong and provides opportunities in the mainstream economy for employment, skills development and financial independence.”

Julie Peterson, an artist from Epenarra, will have her painting Watertanks on display in the exhibition. Julie was one of the first artworkers for Epenarra Artist and began working towards her Certificate III Arts Administration qualification before she was offered a job at the local school. She now works as a teacher’s aide and paints when she has time.

 Strong Women Strong Painting Strong Culture has been co-curated by Deborah Sims and Matt Dickson. It will run from 5 February until 27 March at the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery, NSW. For more information about the exhibition and full program of events for International Women’s Day, please visit www.crag.net.au . 

Ends

To arrange interviews and/or pics with Liz or one of the Epenarra artists, please contact World Vision media officer Sacha Myers on 0457 926 018

Media Releases, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Aboriginal, Exhibition, Indigenous, International Women's Day

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