Residents and visitors will be able to steep themselves in local and global Indigenous cultures thanks to two artistic experiences on offer in the Redlands in the lead up to this year’s National Reconciliation Week.
Redland Art Gallery will present the Nandeebie Dreemz exhibition from 14 May to 25 June – featuring four female artists from Queensland.
Redland Performing Arts Centre’s Nandeebie Screen – Indigenous Film Festival will feature indigenous films and documentaries from across the globe from 20 to 21 May, and will be a significant new event for Indigenous film in Queensland.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said this was the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy the cultural contributions of first nation peoples from around the world.
“The name of these events, Nandeebie, is from the local Jandai language of the Quandamooka people and is the name for the area now known as Cleveland,” Cr Williams said.
“Both Nandeebie Dreemz and Nandeebie Screen, feature the talents of local Indigenous film-maker and artist Tamara Whyte, as one of the four exhibiting artists and the driving force for bringing together such an eclectic mix of international films and documentaries for the first time ever in Queensland.
“Entry to the art exhibition – including the opening event and floor talk – is free, and everyone is welcome to attend a wide range of community films for free on the Redland Performing Arts Centre lawn (RPAC) throughout the film festival. There are also 12 films to choose from in the RPAC Concert Hall.”
Nandeebie Dremz – Exhibition
Exhibition dates: Sunday 14 May until Sunday 25 June
Location: Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland, Cnr of Middle and Bloomfield Streets
Nandeebie Dreemz presents the work and stories of first nation peoples from around the world. Visitors can explore the works by Indigenous artists, working in the digital space, where transition is constant, stories and dreemz are told and possibility is always present.
The exhibition presents the talent of four Queensland artists including Bianca Beetson, Leah King-Smith, Tamara Whyte and Venessa Williams Starzynski, who tell stories through drawing, film, multi-media and photography.
The official opening event and floor talk is on Friday 12 May from 6.30pm, including a Welcome to Country by Aunty Rose Borey. The exhibition will be opened by Kyla McFarlane, Acting Curatorial Manager, Australian Art, QAGOMA.
Join us after the official proceedings at 7.15pm for canapés and hear from the artists.
RSVP acceptances by Wednesday 10 May. Phone (07) 3030 4163 or email: [email protected]
Nandeebie Screen Program
In addition to the Nandeebie Screen – Indigenous Film Festival there will be a variety of documentaries and films screened for free on the RPAC lawn, including:
- Kaha:wi – The Cycle of Life which is a stunning journey into Iroquoian teachings on love, life, community, and spirit, as expressed through dance (both traditional and modern) by award-winning Mohawk dancer and choreographer Santee Smith.
- Life is Waiting – a feature documentary about referendum and resistance in Western Sahara as Sahrawis continue to live under Moroccan occupation.
- Great Grandmothers – a documentary about three unknown indigenous heroines from different parts of the globe, who pay an important role in maintaining and passing on the cultural heritage to the young.
The full program and approximate times for each of the free screenings on the RPAC lawn will be available the week prior to the film festival.