Tandanya Arts Fair 2009

Tim Hampton, Photo: D Sautelle

Kurruru Dance Ensemble, Photo: D Sautelle

Sam Nona weaving, Photo: D Sautelle

Lorraine and Daphne, Photo: D Sautelle

Auntie Josie Agius & Judith Nicolson, Photo: D Sautelle

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Inaugural event a resounding success

THE EVENT - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Fair – 24^th October 2009

The Arts Fair attracted a very large audience, with an estimated 1,500 attending across the day. People had the opportunity to relate to the artists at their leisure, and enjoy a friendly and relaxed environment. They were absorbed by the wonderful work on display, and numerous people stayed for a number of hours enjoying the artwork, the contact with the artists, and the performances. The artists were kept very busy, and were thrilled to be a part of the event. Emerging through to establish artists all made sales, and some artists sold out. The Arts Fair exhibited a vibrant and diverse array of art and crafts, capturing the wonderful and exciting work being produced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Participating artists included emerging artists, through to very well-known established artists. More than 20 independent artists registered for the event, and other artists attended and exhibited work with those who had already registered. More than 30 independent artists from local and regional South Australia were present on the day. Art Centres from across South Australia represented another 60 remote and regional artists. The total number of artists attending exceeded 45, and the total overall number of artists represented was 90.

Remote and regional centres included

Tjutjuna (Ceduna) Art Centre - including Oak Valley and Maralinga ,

Kuju Aboriginal Arts & Crafts, Mpulaarra Art Group, Pultin Tandanni

Anangu Ku Arts - representing: Iwantja Arts and Crafts, Kaltjiti Arts, Mimili Maku Arts,

Tjungu Palya

Registered artists and art centres participating at the Arts Fair:

Anangu Ku Arts, Bevan Baxter, Ceduna Arts and Culture Centre, Christopher Burthurmarr Crebbin, Claudette Bates, Conrad Blackman, Daphne Ricketts, David Schnaars, David Thorpe, Felix Kerry, Heather Shearer, Jacinta Dixon, Jasmine Wingfield, Jessica Parker, Julie Mununggurr, Julie Tucker Hughes, Kuju Aboriginal Arts & Crafts, Kunyi McInerney, Leslie Giles, Lorraine Gibson, Lyn Lovegrove, Max Mansell, Mimili Maku Arts, Mpulaarra Art Group, Nikki Carabetta, Pultin Tandanni Art Centre, Tim Hampton.

A program of performances was presented at the Arts Fair ‘concert-style’, with a Master of Ceremonies and stage management. Traditional songs and dances, followed by bands, trios, soloists and contemporary youth dance were a part of the program.

Kaurna Greeting, Kuma Karro, Drum Atweme, Keriba Sagul, Uncle Ken McKenzie, Kurruru Dance, Drum Atweme – collaboration, B Natural, Nancy Bates, Tony Minniecon, Karnage & Darknis, Rough Image, Kineman Karma, MeRRg.

Comments from Artists:

Email from Nikki Carabetta received 4.11.09

Hi Diana and all involved,

I would just like to thank you all for the wonderful day. I was one of the artists and have to commend you on your efforts. It was well organised, the hanging system was easy to use and effective and all of our art complimented one another, which was amazing. The music and dancing was fantastic, I was especially impressed with the Torres Strait Islanders performances as they are quite often not represented at such functions. I also enjoyed the younger artists from Kaurna Plains school, it is nice to know that their generation is proud of their culture and are keeping it alive.

I did not expect to sell much on the day and was mainly involved for networking and socialising as most Indigenous artists work from home and can be a little isolated. I did however sell a few things including a larger painting, so I was thrilled. Some of my artwork was purchased by an American man, a young German couple, an Indian woman, a young Japanese girl and a lady from Holland, all of which were presents to take home.

I got so much positive feedback on the day it is hard to comment on all of it but the common theme was that it was a wonderful cultural experience and everyone I spoke to stayed for at least 1 to 2 hours. They enjoyed the music, dancing and diversity of art work. It highlighted our diversity as a nation as well as our continued evolution to survive in today’s western world. I did not receive one single negative comment on the day, and it was a joy to be a part of,

Many thanks

Nikki Carabetta.

Quote: Heather Shearer

I feel that we were all honoured as artists to be a part of Tandanya’s Arts Fair. Tandanya was always a place we used to meet, it’s been a hub - a special place for Aboriginal people to catch up. By being a part of the Arts Fair it was like we actually became a part of Tandanya – it felt like we belong.

After 20 years Tandanya is still trying to create the resources to fulfill its dreams and visions for Aboriginal artists, and having managed to put on an amazing Arts Fair with such limited resources is amazing – it shows how important we as artists are, and supports us, I feel included.

The Arts Fair was a great opportunity, and I plan to be there for the next one.

Quote: Christopher Burthurmarr Crebbin

As an artist I can get stuck in my own world, and am very insular – and I found it really inspiring to be around all of the other artists - connecting up and networking was really exciting, and I can’t wait for the next Arts Fair. It was really well organised and set out, and I liked the hanging facilities. I really enjoyed the performances, and it was a really friendly atmosphere.