Gallery 31 Mackay hosts internationally acclaimed installation
CQUniversity’s Gallery 31 in Mackay has played host to internationally acclaimed art installation, Embassy, by Australian First Nations artist, Richard Bell.
The installation was brought to Mackay by the Artspace Mackay’s (Mackay Regional Council) as part of its OCCURRENT AFFAIR exhibition, and is a reflection and celebration of the original Aboriginal Tent Embassy established in front of the old Parliament House in Canberra in 1972.
The work by Brisbane-based artist, Richard Bell from the Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman and Gurang Gurang Peoples has travelled internationally since its first incarnation in 2013.
The installation features a marquee tent surrounded by thought provoking signs and slogans that promote solidarity and resistance, while also paying homage to the audacity and strength of the original Aboriginal Tent Embassy creators. It aims to provide a space for people of all backgrounds to ask questions, share ideas and create plans for a better future.
Open for one week only between 30 September and 4 October, the installation attracted several groups of people from the Mackay community.
CQUniversity’s Associate Vice-President for the Mackay Region, Professor Rob Brown, said that CQUniversity was proud to work with Council and the artist to deliver such an important cultural experience to the community.
“The installation is thought provoking and starts a conversation," he said.
“In hosting Embassy at Gallery 31 we hope that we were able to facilitate important community discussions about our nation’s history, culture and reconciliation.
“Regardless of your background, Embassy allowed all people to interact with it, enabling them to challenge their own perceptions and gain a better understanding of modern Indigenous history and activism in Australia."
Lauren Turton, Acting Director, Artspace Mackay, said that the installation was received well by the local community and attracted many groups to the tent marquee to engage in discussion and reflection.
“Embassy was one of the many artworks featuring in our most recent exhibition OCCURRENT AFFAIR that includes the work of the proppaNOW Art Collective, a Brisbane-based Aboriginal art collective made up of some of Australia’s most influential Aboriginal artists," Ms Turton said.
“The exhibition was one of three hosted in the recently reopened Artspace Mackay and addressed current socio-political, economic, and environmental issues, while celebrating the strength, resilience and continuity of Aboriginal culture.
“We were grateful to partner with CQUniversity to bring the Embassy Installation to Gallery 31 in the heart of the Mackay CBD."
