FOUR new exhibitions are opening at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place on Thursday, 30 May at 6pm.
Two art exhibitions by experienced artists Warwick Keen and George Keller take centre stage.
Two other exhibitions, a photographic exhibition of local Aboriginal weddings and an archaeological exhibition will also open on the same evening.
Warwick Keen, a Gomeroi man has been a practicing artist for over 35 years and has been teaching both mainstream and Aboriginal Art for over 18 years.
Through the practice of teaching his personal artistic development has flourished, becoming more investigative and experimental.
Well-known local artist George Keller’s exhibition entitled ‘Alpha and Omega’ will open along side Warwick Keen’s ‘Patinz’ exhibition.
George started painting at the age of 15 while embarking on a career in interior design.
He went on to complete his Master’s degree before moving to Australia in 1968 with his wife and six children. George continued to be involved in visual art and won two art awards in Sydney in the 1970s.
He then moved to northern NSW where he opened an art studio, gallery and an interior design business in Walcha Road before moving to Armidale in 1995.
“George is a prominent local artist and wonderful friend of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre,” said Director Daisy William.
“Whenever we need help, we know we can count on George. He drops in for a chat and brings delicious German cakes for the staff, volunteers and myself. We are proud to be exhibiting his work.”
The third exhibition entitled ‘Aboriginal Weddings’ consists of wedding photos of local Aboriginal community members past and present. On display will also be historical wedding pictures of local elders’ Trish Locke and Fay Griffith’s great grandparents and great great grandparents.
A picture of local elder Patsy Cohen’s mother taken on her wedding day will also be exhibited.
The archaeological exhibition, entitled ‘Barks and Fibre Crafts’ is an exhibition of bark paintings, baskets and other fibre crafts. This exhibition is curated by Jill Ahoy.
The public is invited to attend the opening of these fabulous exhibitions on Thursday, 30 May at 6pm at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre on Kentucky Street.
