Page 54-55 - Annual Review 2009

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Floating Life: Contemporary
Aboriginal Fibre Art
1 August – 18 October 2009, GoMA
‘Floating Life: Contemporary Aboriginal Fibre Art’
presented some 300 contemporary works, most of which
came from the Gallery’s own collection of Indigenous fibre
art. The exhibition highlighted the continuing importance
of fibre within Aboriginal culture and the much-admired
inventiveness of the artists. It brought together an
extraordinary diversity of works — nets and traps; woven
mats; conical baskets; spirit figures; dance objects; body
adornment; paintings; and a stunning display of 72
morning star poles, made possible through a significant
loan from Bandigan Art, Sydney. Gulumbu Yunupingu,
Shirley MacNamara, Yvonne Koolmatrie, Lena Yarinkura,
Regina Wilson and Jonathan Jones were among more
than 100 artists in the show, representing every state and
territory. ‘Floating Life’ was developed in close association
with Indigenous artists and communities, and the works
represent an exciting and influential area of contemporary
Australian art practice.
Sponsored by Gadens Lawyers
Left: Banumbirr (Morning star poles) by Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island) artists installed in ‘Floating
Life: Contemporary Aboriginal Fibre Art’ / Works pictured from both the Elcho Island Artists
and Bandigan Morning Star Collection and the Queensland Art Gallery Collection
Top: Exhibition view of ‘Floating Life: Contemporary Aboriginal Fibre Art’
Right: Yvonne Koolmatrie / Hot-air balloon 2006 / Purchased 2006 with funds from Cathryn
Mittelheuser, AM, through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation