Australian history lands at GRAG

Brenda L Croft, Self-portraits on country, Wave Hill, 2014 (installation detail).

Geraldton Regional Art Gallery (GRAG) will welcome a new exhibition this week that considers the ongoing impact of the Gurindji Walk-Off at Wave Hill Station in 1966.

‘Still in my mind: Gurindji location experience and visuality’ showcases a pivotal moment in Australian history through photo-media, videos, paintings, found objects and archival materials.

Each artwork communicates and expresses deeply-felt notions of home, community and country. 

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn encouraged members of the community to attend opening night.

“We are proud to welcome this touring exhibition to GRAG that represents and considers such a significant time in Australian history,” he said.

“Still in my mind reflects on a major turning point and I’m sure it will get people talking, which all great art is supposed to.”

The exhibition derives its’ name from the inspired words of revered Gurindji/Malngin leader Vincent Lingiari, “that land… I still got it on my mind.”

Lingiari was pivotal in the seminal Gurindji Walk-Off – where he led over 200 countrymen, women and children off Wave Hill Station to protest poor wages and conditions.

‘Still in my mind’ is developed in partnership with UNSW Galleries, UQ Art Museum, and Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Corporation, with support from Australian Research Discovery Indigenous Award, National Institute for Experimental Arts, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language and the Berndt Research Foundation.

The tour is presented by Artback NT and supported by Visions of Australia. 

‘Still in my mind’ will officially open at GRAG at 6pm on Friday 31 January and will be followed by a floor talk with Curator and participating artist Brenda L. Croft at 11am on Saturday 1 February. 

RSVPs to these events can be made through Eventbrite.