A new exhibition, showcasing the eclectic talent and creativity of the city’s diverse First Nations people, is currently on display at Newcastle Museum.
The exhibition FIRST showcases the work of 16 First Nations creatives who have links to Newcastle and the Hunter Region, across a range of mediums including paintings, glass work, sculpture and light projections.
City of Newcastle’s Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning Director Julie Baird said the exhibition aimed to show how First Nations creatives bring their culture into a variety of artistic mediums.
“FIRST offers a blank canvas for creatives to shift the mindset on what is usually conceived as having to fit into traditional work while still embodying the creatives' cultural identity - this is new ideas, ancient legacy and boundless creativity across a wide range of disciplines to demonstrate how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people bring their culture to a variety of creative forms,” she said.
Proud Wiradjuri woman and Newcastle Councillor Deahnna Richardson echoed Julie’s sentiment, adding that the exhibition offered new ways of thinking about the cultural practices of First Nations people.
“This exhibition demonstrates Newcastle Museum's commitment to providing space for First Nations people to share their own stories, amplifying their voices and enriching Newcastle's cultural offering through temporary exhibitions," Cr Richardson said.
"By showcasing the extraordinary cultural practices of our First Nations people in contemporary ways, this exhibition will allow us to gain new perspectives and celebrate the work of local emerging and established creatives."
A first of its kind for Newcastle Museum, FIRST will feature work from Maree Bisby, Virginia McDonald, Shane Dixon, Adam Manning, Wanda Matthews, Wayde Clark (Aléjandro), Kachina Davidson, Gambirra Illume, Maria Tattersall, Jakeob Watson, Timothy Jackson (Timberlina), Ngaire Pakai, Shellie Smith, Jasmine Craciun, Wanjun Carpenter, and Jacob Cummins.
FIRST is on at Newcastle Museum until Sunday 6 August. Head here for more information.