Artists examine the human animal relationship
Wongari … curator Djon Mundine’s takes Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Director Ashleigh Whatling and Councillor David Lewis on a tour of the of The Dingo Project.
The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will showcase two new exhibitions which examine our relationships with other species.
Cr David Lewis said the Fraser Coast had a colourful and vibrant cultural life, and the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery was helping to enhance that through its exhibitions and public programs.
“Our Fraser Coast Arts and Culture Strategy seeks to ensure that indigenous cultures are respected and celebrated, while also encouraging creativity and engagement across the community,” he said.
“The two new exhibitions opening at the gallery tonight (March 10) - The Dingo Project: Wongari and Fernando do Campo: To companion a companion – firmly align with our Arts and Culture Strategy.
“The Dingo Project: Wongari investigates the spiritual mythology and historical narratives that connect dingoes to Aboriginal Australia.
“Originally curated for Ngununggula in the NSW Southern Highlands, The Dingo Project: Wongari shifts the focus of Djon Mundine’s curatorial project to Butchulla country and the Wongari of K’gari.
“The exhibition features artists from across the country beside Butchulla perspectives.
“The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery iteration of the exhibition includes a video work exploring the cultural significance of the Wongari for Butchulla people that was produced in collaboration with the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation and Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation.”
Other artists included in the exhibition include Joel Barney, Mia Boe, Dan Boyd, Michael Cook, Judith Crispin, Karla Dickens, Blak Douglas, Maddison Gibbs, Warwick Keen, Teena McCarthy, Lin Onus and Jason Wing.
Launching alongside The Dingo Project: Wongari is To companion a companion, an exhibition by Fernando do Campo that proposes humans as a companion species to birds.
“To companion a companion is a playful exhibition of new work by Argentinean-Australian artist Fernando do Campo that proposes humans as a companion species to birds,” Gallery Director Ashleigh Whatling said.
“With one foot in the field and the other in the archives, Fernando do Campo focuses on ‘companioning’ as an artistic strategy, researching the knotted histories of urban multispecies encounters through listening, painting, archiving and histories.
“The term ‘companion species’ was popularised in the academic work of ecofeminist Donna Harraway whose writing explores the curious relationships humans have established with dogs across histories and cultures, describing how these two species evolved in tandem.
“In do Campo’s work, it is the history of our co-habitation with birds rather than with dogs that comes into focus.
“While many of our more adored and revered bird species are indigenous, others have been introduced into new landscapes as part of wider colonialist and nationalist projects.
“To companion a companion is a humorous, often cheeky, ode to the companion species that flit amongst us.”
Both exhibitions will be officially opened at 5.30 on Friday, March 10, with a special Wongari/dingo songline performance.
The exhibitions will close on May 21. Entry is free.
The HBRG is open from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm on weekends and closed on Mondays.
An exhibition floor talk with Djon Mundine and Fernando do Campo will be held from 11am to 12noon on Saturday, March 11.
Partners:
The Dingo Project is toured by Ngununggula | Retford Park Southern Highlands Regional Gallery. Publication support by Robyn Martin-Weber. Exhibition support by Sarah and Berkeley Cox.
To Companion a Companion is a collaborative project by Contemporary Art Tasmania, UNSW Galleries and PICA toured by Contemporary Art Tasmania.