<p><strong>Christian Thompson</strong><br />
Bidjarra/Kunja people<br />
Australia QLD/NSW/VIC b.1978<br />
<em>Black Gum 2</em>&nbsp;(from&nbsp;<em>&#39;Australian Graffiti&#39;</em>&nbsp;series) 2008<br />
Type C photograph on paper, ed. 7/10<br />
108 x 110cm; 100 x 100cm (comp.)<br />
Purchased 2008. The Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant</p>

Christian Thompson
Bidjarra/Kunja people
Australia QLD/NSW/VIC b.1978
Black Gum 2 (from 'Australian Graffiti' series) 2008
Type C photograph on paper, ed. 7/10
108 x 110cm; 100 x 100cm (comp.)
Purchased 2008. The Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant

19 February 2014

Advance tickets to My Country: Contemporary Art from Black Australia, the most significant exhibition of contemporary Indigenous Australian art yet seen in New Zealand, are on sale now from Eventfinda.

This remarkable exhibition of art by 40 leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists will surprise and move visitors. It reveals innovative approaches to a range of subjects in photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and moving image works. Sourced from the collection of Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, My Country presents the power and beauty of contemporary art by Indigenous Australians. Insights into contemporary society and reflections on history appear in this strong and diverse exhibition, as well as expressions of the artists' relationships with their land. Well-known media personality Colin Mathura-Jeffree, who saw My Country in Brisbane, commented, 'words can't express the experience of this exhibition.'

Fun is also to be had in Kangaroo Crew, a free interactive children's art installation by Gordon Hookey, offering family-focused activities. Through hands-on exploration, children discover the artist's story of four kangaroos that live on a sacred hill, and their interactions and negotiations with a flock of greedy birds. Kids can create their own posters or masks and play 'Kangarcade' games in this free activity area. A dedicated storytelling corner stocked with indigenous tales from New Zealand and Australia offers a relaxing option for families.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki Director Rhana Devenport says, 'My Country is presented to coincide with two important exhibitions by Māori artists, Five Māori Painters and Arnold Manaaki Wilson, to further support and promote indigenous art. The exhibition helps us take a broader world view and gives New Zealanders the chance to explore new territory and cultural diversity through the work of some of Australia's best contemporary artists.'

Auckland Art Gallery Principal Curator Zara Stanhope says, 'Not only are the works in the show important in that they give us insights into the unique and new directions in contemporary Indigenous art in Australia, but they offer new ways of exploring our relations with people and their land that are meaningful for us in New Zealand.'

Adult admission to My Country is $15 on weekends and $10 on weekdays. Children 12 years and under are given free entry. Entry to the Kangaroo Crew Children's Art Centre exhibition is free. My Country opens Friday 28 March and closes on Sunday 20 July 2014. Auckland Art Gallery is open daily from 10am - 5pm, except for Christmas Day.

My Country: Contemporary Art from Black Australia is a Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Touring Exhibition. The presentation of My Country in Auckland and the visit of exhibiting artists has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its funding and advisory body.

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Exhibition partners:

Australia Council logo

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body

QAGOMA logo

A Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Touring Exhibition

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