NAIDOC Week Celebrates Indigenous Art and Culture at Council's Civic Centre Atrium Gallery

Wingecarribee Shire

Picture painted by Young local indigenous artist Izabella.

Don't miss seeing these special pieces on display throughout July, in celebration of NAIDOC week 2-9 July 2023.

Our Atrium is a space for connecting our community and this is a great opportunity to come together and appreciate a diverse range of works by our local First Nations artists.

Indigenous artist Pamela Luke says, "These artworks have been created with a variety of skills that I would not have achieved if not for the collaboration of my elders from this community who taught me how to create cultural art in the beginning. I'm so grateful to have an opportunity to share these works and grow further as an artist."

Immerse in the beauty and creativity that brings to life the stories and perspectives of Wingecarribee Shire's Indigenous peoples. Honouring the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our community, and their ancient cultural heritage which spans over 65,000 years!

Each artist shares their deep connection to the land and spiritual beliefs that have shaped their identity and community.

Cultural traditions are preserved in expressive art forms, fostering resilience, strength and continued creativity down through the generations.

Our youngest indigenous artist featured in this exhibition is Izabella who is just 6 years old. "Izabella is a proud Gundungurra child who is very connected with her cultural background," Izabella's mother says. "This artwork represents the love of our elders. The white dots at the top stand for the elders past that still spread their love to all the people to come, represented by the dots below."

NAIDOC Week holds immense significance in acknowledging and celebrating the contributions and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the history, culture, and rights of Indigenous Australians. This year's theme, 'For Our Elders', highlights the essential role played by Elders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, paying homage to their wisdom, guidance and the vital passing down of cultural knowledge.

Pop-in during July to enjoy these colourful and inspiring works as we reflect on the importance of NAIDOC week in fostering cultural pride, promoting reconciliation, and honouring the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Australians.

For weekly updates on all that's happening in our Shire, and opportunities to get involved, join Council's Your Shire e-news wsc.nsw.gov.au/council/newsletters and follow us on socials.

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