Vessels: Transcending Tradition

Australian Design Centre, in collaboration with the National Indigenous Art Fair, proudly presents Vessels: Transcending Tradition, a celebration of the rich tapestry of Indigenous object-based artistry.

This exhibition, curated by ADC First Nations Programs Coordinator Miah Madden, honours the vibrant and profound creative practices of some of the most respected Indigenous Art Centres across Australia.

Art Centres: Barkly Regional Arts, Bula’bula Arts, Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts, Injalak Arts, Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association.

Vessels unveils a curated collection of exceptional artworks that are inherently imbued with deep cultural significance and stories. The featured Artists are custodians of their respective cultural heritages, each expressing a unique artistic language that bridges revered traditions and modern-day realities. From the intricate carvings of Gapuwiyak Arts to the ‘Bush Handbags’ of Barkly Arts, the exhibition celebrates a wide array of mediums and techniques, each artwork narrating the distinctive voice of its creator. The artworks transcend traditional ideals of Indigenous art, celebrating the spiritual, material, and ecological wisdom that has been passed down through generations of the artists’ lineage.

Not merely object-based artworks, they are vessels of history, knowledge, and identity, offering an intimate glimpse into the profound relationship between the artists and their ancestral lands. These Art Centres are participants in the National Indigenous Art Fair, to be held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal from 29 – 30 June 2024.

Image: Aileen Long, Wakanji (Bush Tomato), 2023. Photo: Courtesy of Barkly Arts.