Beautiful Indigenous art on display for NAIDOC Week

Proud as punch, Aunty Ruth Hegarty  between her grandchildren, artists Cheryl Creed and Troy Hegarty at the NAIDOC Indigenous Art Exhibition launch at USQ Springfield on 5 July.

Standing proudly between her two artist grandchildren, Aunty Ruth Hegarty was a vision of satisfaction as she took in the outstanding Indigenous artworks on display at USQ Springfield campus for the NAIDOC Art Exhibition launch last night (5 July).

The exhibition, showcasing a number of talented contemporary Indigenous artists to celebrate NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) will run until the 30th of July and includes a variety of historical and contemporary artworks including painting, photography and sculpture.

Aunty Ruth said art and culture had been a reason for living for her people for more than 40,000 years.

“Without this we wouldn’t have such a rich history, maybe the elders back then had a vision of how important their art would become,” she said.

“We also have a vision for our people now and art and culture helps us to share this vision with others.”

Aunty Ruth’s grandchildren Troy Hegarty and Cheryl Creed both had paintings featured in the exhibition and said their aboriginal heritage was a strong inspiration for their art.

“My painting titled Bitumen Dreaming was drawn from the experience of re-enacting a walk when my people were told to leave their traditional homes in Woodford to live in Barambah, now known as Cherbourg,” Mr Hegarty said.

“The walk took us nine days along bitumen, but our people were made to do the walk without roads and it took them 10 weeks.”

Ms Creed said she became serious about her art in 2000 when she completed a Bachelor of Arts and Visual Communication (Honours).

“I am very interested in portraiture and hope to one day enter The Archibald Prize, painting my grandmother,” she said.

“Many paintings of Indigenous people have won the prize but to date none of the winning paintings have been painted by Indigenous artists. I would like to be the first.”

USQ Springfield campus Director Doug Fraser said the artworks would be available for sale throughout the exhibition which would further support the Indigenous art community in the region.

Every year NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life,” Mr Fraser said.

“This exhibition is a great opportunity to participate in one of the many activities to be held across Australia and to support the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“USQ are proud to play a part in celebrating this important week and celebrate the Indigenous people of our community.

“The exhibition is open for viewing during library open hours at the Springfield campus until the 30th July.

“The public are invited to come to the library and view the beautiful range of Indigenous artworks on display and purchase a one of a kind piece for their collection.”

For further information about the exhibition or purchasing an artwork contact Vivienne Roma by 24th July.

Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0438 309 096