Men’s business – a unique perspective through strong men’s eyes

3 Rivers Aboriginal Art Space and Arts Northern Rivers are pleased to announce the opening of Men’s Business, an Indigenous men’s only exhibition at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Ballina, on Thursday, 3 December, at 5.30pm.

The exhibition, the first of its kind in our region, will be formally opened by renowned Indigenous artist Digby Moran, with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Bertha Kapeen.

Men’s Business captures a unique but diverse perspective – interpreting land, culture and Aboriginal spirituality through the eyes of local male artists, young and old, established and emerging.

It is their voice, telling their stories, and sharing their experiences of being proud Aboriginal men.

“This is not an exhibition of secret men’s business, intended for men’s eyes only,” explains Lismore-based contributing artist Les Evans. 

“It’s a celebration of Aboriginal men’s art they and their communities can be proud of.”

Importantly, the exhibition includes works by some younger artists who have benefited from mentoring with leading artists from the Northern Rivers region.

For example, in the lead-up to the show, Fingal Heads sculptor Garth Lena – winner of numerous awards including the 2006 Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize – has worked closely with fellow Tweed shire artist Lenny Noteo.

Since September the two have been meeting regularly, with Lena encouraging Noteo to take part in the show and mentoring him on becoming a professional artist.

Lena explained that through the sculpture he has submitted, ‘Little Man’, he wanted to depict a man proud of his Aboriginality. 

“A man, even though small in stature, is strong in who is his,” he said.

Tweed Heads artist Robert Appo said the painting he has submitted to the show tells the story of growing up as a young boy under the guidance of his grandfather, uncles, cousins and brother on the Tweed River.

“I want people to get a feel for the places where we used to go,” he said, adding that this particular work is ‘very abstract, using a lot of texture, and medium’.

Evan Heads-based Oral Laurie, who was mentored by his father Oral Roberts, said the experience has taught him about the ‘clever and healthy’ traditional side to his father’s life.

Oral Laurie said that he believes his father’s paintings ‘gather it all up and turn it into art’, with individual works reflecting what he has been told by his dad and uncles.

Men’s Business has been curated by a panel of first-time curators – Indigenous artists Robert Appo, Garth Lena, Michael Philp and Penny Evans, working with Arts Northern Rivers’ Indigenous Arts Development Officer, Frances Belle Parker.

Mrs Parker said it was fantastic to be able to offer this new learning opportunity to some of the more advanced artists in the region and also to include new artists in the show through the mentorship program.

“The dedication of the mentors who have supported and encouraged young artists to create artworks for the exhibition was invaluable, not only for this event but also for the long-term development of Indigenous arts in our region,” she said.

Men’s Business opens Thursday, December 3, at Northern Rivers Community Gallery, 44 Cherry Street, Ballina. It runs until January 10, 2010.

Image credit: Jai Darby Walker, Men’s Business (detail).

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