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A new landmark project will map the Pilbara Aboriginal art movement for the first time, providing insight into the development of the region's unique Aboriginal art, artists and art centres.

 

The Pilbara survey, which has been funded by the McGowan Government via the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost for almost $1.3 million, is a multi-artform project that will support and celebrate the region's Aboriginal art landscape. It will culminate in a series of regional, State and national touring exhibitions between 2020 and 2023, promoting the richness of the Pilbara's contemporary Aboriginal art movement to global audiences.

 

The project's first exhibition, What Now? The next generation of Martumili artists, opened last night at The Goods Shed, showcasing works by Martu artists from across the East Pilbara. The exhibition is on until December 20,2020.

 

The Pilbara Survey is part of the $8 million Regional Exhibition Touring Boost (RETB), which is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and Art on the Move and is increasing arts activities in WA's regions.

 

The project will also provide training and mentorships, workshops and on Country trips for artists and their communities, providing economic, professional and cultural development opportunities.

 

Aboriginal art centres will also be able to build their digital capabilities and capacity by improving automated systems to preserve and provide access to their works and support business operations.

 

The Pilbara survey was initiated by FORM in collaboration with the participating artists and art centres and will include a major exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA, planned for 2022.

 

It has been made possible through the support of BHP who have partnered with FORM for 15 years in the Pilbara, the Pilbara Development Commission, the City of Karratha, Lotterywest, the Australia Council for the Arts and the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program through the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.