Western Australian borders may have been closed to interstate travellers but that didn’t stop artists from across Australia participating in the live-streamed launch of Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia in Perth at the Art Gallery of Western Australia December 9, 2021. Alongside presentations from Nyungar Elder Kim Collard and performances by Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Theatre, the capacity crowd gathered for the opening night enjoyed video messages from Pakana artist LOLA GREENO in Tasmania, Kala Lagaw Ya/Maluilgal artist ALICK TIPOTI in Queensland’s Torres Strait Islands and Kokatha/Nukunu/Mirning artist YHONNIE SCARCE in South Australia.
National Gallery of Australia Chairman, Ryan Stokes joined NGA Director Nick Mitzevich and Assistant Director of First Nations Engagement, Bruce Johnson McLean via video to help officially launch the exhibition in its only Australian presentation before embarking on an international tour which commences at the National Gallery of Singapore in June 2022.
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is on display now at the Art Gallery of Western Australia until 18 April 2022.
