As travel and gatherings have become less accessible this year, we bring you online discussions with the artists in Rite of Passage as they discuss their artworks and their practice with curator Shannon Brett.
Tune in each week and share with those you think should hear.
Rite of Passage is a visionary group exhibition that developed as a response to the significance of the year 2020 – 250 years since James Cook first landed in Australia. The exhibition aims to reframe the way that we perceive this year in our historyRite of Passage showcases the strength of autobiographical work by eleven contemporary Aboriginal artists from across Australia.
Artists include Glennys Briggs, Megan Cope, Nici Cumpston, Karla Dickens, Julie Gough, Lola Greeno, Leah King-Smith, Jenna Lee, Carol McGregor, Mandy Quadrio, and Judy Watson. Described by curator Shannon Brett as explicit in their actions regarding their Aboriginal rites, the exhibition reveals how these artists define themselves as voices of their families and their ancestors in their quest to preserve their Aboriginality.
Shannon Brett, a former Cairns-based artist/designer/curator, a proud descendant of the Wakka Wakka, Butchulla and Gurang Gurang clans.
Rite of Passage premiered at QUT Art Museum, Brisbane in March 2020. Exhibition runs 24 September to 21 November 2021 at NorthSite, Cairns.
This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Listen to the Artists:
Listen to the conversations here!