Latest news with #AboriginalAustralian
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Major wing of New York's famed Met reopens with work by First Nations artists
New York: When an institution as large and prestigious as the Metropolitan Museum of Art embarks upon a major project, it takes time. The remaking of its Michael C. Rockefeller wing, which houses the Met's enviable collection of 650 works from Oceania, began 10 years ago at a planning retreat outside the city. Shuttered since the pandemic, the wing reopened last weekend, including new works by Aboriginal Australian artists at a time when Indigenous art is earning a growing following in the finely tuned and highly competitive New York art world. 'There's a lot of interest and patronage,' says Maia Nuku, the Met's curator for Oceanic art. 'There are particular collectors who have been really invested in making sure these works of art come to major US institutions … It's been ticking away.' Some of those people, including American actor Steve Martin and gallerist D'Lan Davidson, gathered at the Asia Society's head office in Manhattan last week for a conversation about the ethics and resonance of collecting Australian Indigenous art. But there are swings and roundabouts. A major Sotheby's auction of Indigenous Australian art on May 20 was a fizzer, with just 24 of 65 lots sold. It was the first such auction in New York since the prominent Indigenous art champion and consultant Tim Klingender died in a freak boating accident on Sydney Harbour in July 2023. There is a degree of macabre symmetry with Michael Rockefeller, the member of the storied Rockefeller family for whom the Met's wing is named. He was believed to have died when his boat capsized off the coast of then Dutch New Guinea in 1961 – although there has long been a sense of mystery hanging over his disappearance. Unlike Klingender, his body was never found. The Australian section of the Rockefeller wing is modest, but in a prominent location. It features two newly acquired bark cloth paintings by the late Yolŋu artist Nonggirrnga Marawili from her series Baratjala, including a bright work from late in her career when she began experimenting with vibrant pinks extracted from discarded magenta printer cartridges, mixed with natural clay and ochres. 'She didn't want to limit herself to the ochres and the browns,' says Nuku.
The Age
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Major wing of New York's famed Met reopens with work by First Nations artists
New York: When an institution as large and prestigious as the Metropolitan Museum of Art embarks upon a major project, it takes time. The remaking of its Michael C. Rockefeller wing, which houses the Met's enviable collection of 650 works from Oceania, began 10 years ago at a planning retreat outside the city. Shuttered since the pandemic, the wing reopened last weekend, including new works by Aboriginal Australian artists at a time when Indigenous art is earning a growing following in the finely tuned and highly competitive New York art world. 'There's a lot of interest and patronage,' says Maia Nuku, the Met's curator for Oceanic art. 'There are particular collectors who have been really invested in making sure these works of art come to major US institutions … It's been ticking away.' Some of those people, including American actor Steve Martin and gallerist D'Lan Davidson, gathered at the Asia Society's head office in Manhattan last week for a conversation about the ethics and resonance of collecting Australian Indigenous art. But there are swings and roundabouts. A major Sotheby's auction of Indigenous Australian art on May 20 was a fizzer, with just 24 of 65 lots sold. It was the first such auction in New York since the prominent Indigenous art champion and consultant Tim Klingender died in a freak boating accident on Sydney Harbour in July 2023. There is a degree of macabre symmetry with Michael Rockefeller, the member of the storied Rockefeller family for whom the Met's wing is named. He was believed to have died when his boat capsized off the coast of then Dutch New Guinea in 1961 – although there has long been a sense of mystery hanging over his disappearance. Unlike Klingender, his body was never found. The Australian section of the Rockefeller wing is modest, but in a prominent location. It features two newly acquired bark cloth paintings by the late Yolŋu artist Nonggirrnga Marawili from her series Baratjala, including a bright work from late in her career when she began experimenting with vibrant pinks extracted from discarded magenta printer cartridges, mixed with natural clay and ochres. 'She didn't want to limit herself to the ochres and the browns,' says Nuku.
Time Out
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
REVEALED: New public art installations for the $836-million Sydney Fish Market
Anticipation for the new and improved Sydney Fish Market has been building up ever since the site's multi-million-dollar makeover was green-lit in 2020, and while it has not all been smooth sailing, the mission to transform it into the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere is forging on full speed ahead. However, the development is not only looking towards the future, but also paying tribute to the past. A series of art installations have been commissioned for the new precinct, which will honour Blackwattle Bay's First Nations and maritime histories. Visitors to the new Sydney Fish Market will be able to learn about the history of the area through five permanent installations that celebrate the site as a community gathering place. The first three sculptures were revealed today, each created by Aboriginal Australian artists who have designed works which pay respect to the continued presence of local Aboriginal people, and reference traditional cultural practices of the First Nations communities connected to the new Sydney Fish Market site. Grouped under the title Saltwater People Stories, the three installations include 'The Nawi', a depiction of a traditional nawi (fishing canoe) by Bidjigal elder Uncle Steven Russell; 'Birrang Narrami (Star Net)', a traditional woven fishing net by Wiradjuri, Yuin and Gadigal multi-disciplinary artist and master weaver Nadeena Dixon; and 'The Call of Ngura (Country)', with eel-like forms representing the Dreamtime journey of the great Creator Gurangady, by Buruberong and Wumali (Dharug) creative Leanne Tobin. The sculptures, cast in bronze at the North Head Foundry in Manly, will be installed on the eastern and western promenades of the new Sydney Fish Market later this year. Two further installations will sit on the eastern promenade – an interactive water play area for families, and an installation paying homage to the site's industrial history as a working harbour. Placemaking NSW will also host a curated arts and cultural program featuring dance and music. This will take place in the public domain throughout 2026, featuring local artists. First Nations Contemporary Artist, Leanne Tobin said: 'As a First Nations artist, I'm excited to see our culture represented and visibly acknowledged as part of the new Sydney Fish Market. This project is more than a world-class building and fish market. It is an opportunity for us to educate and inform visitors here by weaving our stories and culture into the precinct. 'These installations allow us a way to share our cultural stories and highlight our deep and ancient connection to this land while also creating a shared experience that reflects our heritage for all to enjoy.' Sydney Fish Market is due to house 38 tenants (you'll find a few of the big name venues revealed here), with more than 26,000 square meters of retail, dining and community space across three levels. The new Sydney Fish Market site is slated to open sometime in 2025, the exact date is yet to be confirmed. In the meantime, the current Sydney Fish Market site will continue to remain fully operational.
