Country in Mind

7 May—31 July 2021
Curated by Christopher Bassi

This exhibition was part of Connecting Stories, an initiative of Creative Arts Alliance as part of the Regional Arts Services Network presented in partnership with Blaklash Creative and the SEQN Regional Gallery Network.

Exhibition Lender
The De Deyne Family

Exhibition Tour
Caboolture Regional Art Gallery
18 September—27 November 2021

The art of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a modern vibrant expression of many Indigenous nations. Representation of Country is full of associative information connecting the past, present and future which always begins with Country in mind.

Working primarily with the University of the Sunshine Coast Art Collection, this exhibition focused on work from the central desert, the Kimberley to the northwest, Arnhem Land and the offshore islands in the far north to explore the continuum among communities who make work about Country while also delving into the idiosyncrasies of individual artistic expression.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this exhibition may contain images, names, and voices of people who are deceased.

Artists
Nyuju Stumpy Brown, John Bulunbulun, Lydia Burak, Jukuna Mona Chuguna, Timothy Cook, Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, Birrmuyingathi Maali Netta Loogatha, Susan Marawarr, Laurie Marburduk, John Mawurndjul, Horace Munmilli, Ivan Namirrkki, Esther Giles Nampitjinpa, Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa, Mitjili Napurrula, Phyllis Ningarmara, Naata Nungurrayi, Lena Nyadbi, Gloria Tamerre Petyarre, George Hairbrush Tjungurrayi, Thuganmu Arnold Watt, Terry Ngamandara Wilson and Nyapanyapa Yunupingu.

Curator
Christopher Bassi is an Australian artist and curator of Meriam, Yupangathi (Torres Strait and Cape York) and British descent. Bassi’s practice is informed by ongoing concerns with intersections of place, belonging and the entangling of racial and cultural identities.

Installation view of Country in Mind at UniSC Art Gallery. Photo: Carl Warner.

Curator talk
12pm, Friday 12 May 2021

Opening event
3pm, Saturday 22 May 2021

The reading group: The Yield by Tara June Winch
4pm, Thursday 29 July 2021

Talking Country in Mind: Christopher Bassi, Troy Casey, BJ Murphy and Libby Harward
2pm, Saturday 24 July 2021