Australian Embassy
Indonesia

Inaugural Exhibition Celebrates Indigenous Australian Cultures

Media Release

11 July 2017

An art exhibition and a live collaboration by an Australian and an Indonesian artist are part of a series of events in Jakarta this week celebrating Australia’s rich Indigenous cultures.

The Australian Embassy is proud to present its entire collection of Indigenous art together in one place for the first time. A total of 50 artworks and photographs drawn from three separate locations will be on show at the embassy, from vibrant contemporary pieces to digital reproductions of bark art from the National Museum of Australia’s Old Masters exhibition. 

In a unique international collaboration, acclaimed Aboriginal painter Jandamarra Cadd, a descendent of the Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Warung people, will work with Bogor-born artist Jerry Thung to create an artwork representing the close connection between Australia and Indonesia.

The art exhibition and collaboration mark National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week, a celebration of the history, cultures and achievements of Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, and the Australian Embassy’s #AussieBanget Diversity month, highlighting Australia’s multiculturalism.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson said the joint artwork by Jandamarra Cadd and Jerry Thung followed a long history of collaboration between Australians and Indonesians.

“The relationship between our two countries is built on deep and strong personal connections between our people.

“As early as 1700, fishing communities in South Sulawesi made the voyage to Northern Australia to trade, forming new links and communities.”   

Ambassador Grigson said the art exhibition showed the richness and complexity of Australia’s Indigenous cultures.

“We are fortunate to have in our collection exquisite pieces from all over the country, and each has a unique story to tell.”


Guided tours of the exhibition are available on 12 and 13 July. Please register at https://IndigenousArtTour.eventbrite.com

Images available here