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The Distant Warriors art exhibition
supplied by Beverly Growden 6 September 2015
A
traditional warrior cloak from New Zealand, woven by artists Ruth Port and Mandy Sunlight, resident at Canberra Glassworks earlier this year, will go on display at the Canberra Glassworks next week. Entitled ‘Kahukura Ariki’ the Kahu Toa/ Warrior cloak will be transported across the Tasman by the artists and Kaumatua, Joby Hopa to become an integral part of the exhibition. Produced from Korari with Teri dye, it is a modern reflection of a warrior’s cloak representing brave and decisive battles fought by Maori past, present and future.
Jenni Kemarre Martiniello. File image
It is named for the elements of the earth mother, Papatuanuku and the children of Tane Mahuta. A garment of the Maori Gods. The cloak will be paired with a possum skin cloak created by studio artist Jenni Kemarre Martiniello which is embellished with coldworked and kiln formed glass medal ‘ribbons’ engraved with the names of the fallen. The work is called ‘We will remember them: Cloak for the Fallen’. Possums are protected in Australia and the possum skins were sourced from New Zealand. These works will be significant features of The Distant Warriors: Ka Maumahara (We Will
Remember) Let Us Not Be Forgotten exhibition which opens at Canberra Glassworks at 6pm on Wednesday 9 September 2015. It is a special ANZAC Centenary exhibition inspired by the stories of Indigenous Australian and Maori soldiers who fought in the First World War, and honours our fallen and our survivors. The exhibition will be officially opened by Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC. It is curated by Visual Arts Curatorial Fellow Kelli Cole. Ms Cole said: ”It has been an inspiration and
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an honour to have worked on such an important exhibition that pays tribute to our strong Indigenous Australian men and women who fought for their country a world away. In the face of denial of basic equality at home, they fought as equals with other Australians soldiers on foreign shores. They defined conscription and signed up for adventure, excitement and companionship. Leaving their family and loved ones behind, they picked up arms to fight for their country.” Artists include Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, Lyndy Delian, Joyce Graham, Allison Hoolihan, Hayley Hoolihan, Lyn Talbot and Jenny Dries from the ACT; Victorian artist Treahna Hamm; and New Zealand
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Maori weavers Ruth Port and Mandy Sunlight. All are looking forward to seeing how visitors respond to their new work which is available for sale. The artists worked side by side over many months to produce a remarkable amount of work since Canberra Glassworks was announced in 2014 as the recipient of an ANZAC Centenary Local Grant from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The works include a replica first aid box, giant glass bullets, healing hands, shields, hats and the rising sun using various glass processes and techniques. The works were inspired by research into the families of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who
served in World War 1. The Canberra Glassworks project is part of Honouring Cultures, a special project in collaboration with the Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group (ITAG). The exhibition is supported by the New Zealand High Commission. For those wanting to know more about the exhibition, a Gallery Floor Talk and Forum will be presented at 2pm on 12 September 2015. Guests speakers include Garth O’Connell Curator, Military Heraldry and Technology, Australian War Memorial; Gary Oakley, National President Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Veterans & Service Association (ATSIVSA); and Mr Kevin Gill, President, Vietnam Veterans Association ACT.