Message Stick: Indigenous Identity in Urban Australia

As part of NAIDOC week, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) launched the international touring exhibition: Message Stick: Indigenous Identity in Urban Australia, DFAT’s most recent partnership project with Artbank on 6 July. The exhibition was installed in the foyer of the RG Casey Building, the Canberra headquarters of DFAT.

The Welcome to Country by Auntie Matilda House began the proceedings followed by a speech from the Secretary of DFAT, Mr Dennis Richardson. Mr Richardson spoke of the proactive promotion of Australia’s Indigenous culture abroad as part of DFAT’s diplomatic activities, and these included collaborations with Indigenous musicians such as William Barton and visual artists like Reko Rennie (whose work is included in the Message Stick Exhibition) for projects abroad. Mr Richardson also stressed the strength of the partnership between Artbank and DFAT, which has continually produced culturally significant projects for international audiences.

The exhibition was officially launched by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP. The Minister shared his experiences of reconciliation since the National Apology in February 2008, both within Australia and the Indigenous communities, as well as in the international community. Mr Rudd described the depth of impression and contribution Australian Indigenous art has made on the world stage before formally opening the exhibition.

The exhibition is the first time a collection of urban Indigenous art has been toured by DFAT, shifting from more traditional expectations of Australia’s Indigenous art, with aims to expand the conversation of what it means to be an Aboriginal Australian. The exhibition will travel to the Pacific, and the African continent and Latin America over the next two to three years.

Special mention and thanks were given to Carrie Kibbler from Artbank who curated and managed this project. .

Message Stick Touring the World

Following its display at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra, the latest exhibition developed between DFAT and Artbank; Message Stick: Indigenous Identity in Urban Australia will be touring internationally for the next two years.

First stop for the tour is the Centre d’Art in Noumea, but before the exhibition departs for its world tour, there a number of preparations that need to be undertaken.

Condition reports are completed to establish inherent condition. The majority of Artbank’s paintings and works on paper are framed as a preventative conservation measure to limit any damage that may result from frequent display, handling and transport. The frame is also assessed in terms of its condition and suitability for travel. If any of the frames have a glass glazing this will be changed to UV resistant Perspex.

To protect the works during transit, customised touring crates are constructed. To undertake the crating, Artbank enlisted the assistance of TED Fine Art. Extremely durable and of the highest quality, the crates offer multiple levels of environmental buffering and protection. Each work is provided with its own travelling slot or travelling frame, which are identified with the corresponding artwork numbers.

To ensure the works are handled and displayed consistently throughout the tour, a detailed exhibition manual is prepared and travels with the exhibition; it includes information on the correct handling, environmental considerations including light, temperature and humidity and venue considerations such as wall space and security.

Message Stick will be exhibited at the Centre d’Art in Noumea from 18 August to 9 September and will then tour Southern Africa until late 2012.

Art Trek

Also in Canberra the National Gallery of Australia is showing Out of the West - Art of Western Australia from the national collections works featuring early WA artists and contemporary WA artists such as Rodney Glick, Karl Wiebke, Miriam Stannage and Jeremy Kirwan-Ward; all of whom are represented  in the Artbank collection - well worth a visit!

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