Blacktown Arts announce the launch of Blacktown Proper Way: Us Women, Us Men, an exhibition and public program series that celebrates and reconnects with the traditional and contemporary forms of cultural practices specific to the many NSW specific Aboriginal nations who are connected to and call Blacktown home.
This takes place on the land of Darug people and we acknowledge and respect Darug cultural practices and ongoing custodianship. Blacktown Proper Way: Us Women, Us Men is curated by Jamie Eastwood and Dr Virginia Keft.
The exhibition runs from Friday 4 March – Saturday 2 April 2022.
In traditional Aboriginal cultures, women and men had distinct and gender specific roles they performed in their communities. Blacktown Proper Way maintains these ancient and evolving traditions of women’s and men’s business, as the many artists that call Blacktown home come together to explore and celebrate the uniqueness of producing art from a culturally proper way perspective. The exhibition runs from Friday 4 March – Saturday 2 April 2022.
The exhibition is curated in two parts: Us Men and Us Women. In Aboriginal society, there are clear and distinct roles for women and men, these are different and equally important. Us Men and Us Women engage Elders in a consultative and nurturing way to support and reflect both the traditional and changing practices and protocols of Aboriginal cultural tradition.
Curated by Dr Virginia Keft, Blacktown Proper Way Us Women, presents the work, skills, cultural practices, knowledges and wisdoms of Aunty Julie Christian, Jayne Christian, Aunty Robyn Caughlan, Aunty Barbara McGrady, Donna Brown, Debra Beale and emerging artist Tarni Eastwood.
In Blacktown Proper Way Us Men, Jamie Eastwood curates the work of Darren Bell, Keith Brown, Brad Burrows, Danny Eastwood, Trevor Eastwood, Uncle Wes Marne, Uncle Greg Sims, Tek Skulthorpe, Trevor Treloar and Jason Wing.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said he was delighted to welcome the exhibition to The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre; “This is a culturally significant exhibition for our City.
“Blacktown City has a proud Indigenous history and we are home to the largest urban population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales.
“It is fantastic to be able to celebrate and share Indigenous culture and its connections to the land through this exhibition.
“Art is one way we can connect with the culture of our Indigenous brothers and sisters and move together toward a more positive future,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
Throughout the year, a public program of events including cultural art-making workshops, an Elders in residence program and a women’s art space invites audiences to gather, connect, and learn.
Blacktown Proper Way: Us Women, Us Men is about connection and cultural knowledge said curator Dr Virgina Keft; “Blacktown Proper Way: Us Women, Us Men is a powerful statement on the resilience of tradition, the power of cultural memory, and the strength of Aboriginal identity.
“The importance of connection, understanding, and respect through gathering are key concepts communicated through Blacktown Proper Way.
“The visual language of the works along with the interactive and welcoming spaces, facilitate understanding and promote respectful connections to Aboriginal community and culture,” Keft said.
THE DETAILS
What: Blacktown Proper Way: Us Women, Us Men
Where: The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, 78 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown
When: Friday 4 March – Saturday 2 April 2022
Tickets: Free
More info: www.blacktownarts.com.au/
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Featured event : Keith Brown – Dry Mud and Bones