Indigenous Artist Callout
Are you an Indigenous artist working in the NT? Do you want to take your artwork beyond the Territory?
Would your work benefit from the inspiration, the challenges and the new perspectives offered by time spent creating in a different cultural setting?
If so – then Artback NT wants to hear from you.
In conjunction with Arts NT and the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Centre in Taiwan, Artback NT is excited to be offering two six-week residencies in the southern Taiwan community of Rinari, one in both 2018 and 2019, for Indigenous Territory artists practicing in any art form.
The cultural exchange, which will also see Taiwanese artists undertake a residency in the Northern Territory, is an exciting opportunity for artists from the two countries to highlight the diversity of First Nations experiences.
Artback NT Executive Officer Louise Partos says the exchange came about following the successful tour of Tiwi Islands band B2M throughout Taiwan in 2016.
“There was an immediate and strong connection – both socially and musically – between B2M and the communities they visited. Australia and Taiwan are home to vibrant Indigenous arts scenes, and we realised that a reciprocal residency could create opportunities for Indigenous cultural representatives of both nations.”
She says that previous projects in Taiwan have created a stepping-stone for more meaningful, ongoing collaboration.
“This residency provides artists with the unique opportunity to work in a totally new environment, take a break, think about work in a different way, meet new people and be introduced to different customs. We hope that the successful NT artist will build new relationships and connections in Taiwan and that they will share their experiences both as artists and as Indigenous people, and be stimulated by their new environment. Artists will also have the opportunity to showcase work completed during the residency within each country.”
The residency is open to artists working in any form – including visual arts, ceramics, music, theatre or dance. The only requirement is that the applicant is Indigenous and based in the Northern Territory.
Artback NT and the PingTung Cultural Centre will assist with sourcing appropriate studio space and other back-up support as required.
“We realise that while this is an incredibly exciting opportunity it might also be scary for applicants. We really want artists to talk with us about any concerns they may have and to know that Artback NT will always be there with support. To this end we have suggested that there is an option to travel with a family member or companion for the duration of the residency. An English/Chinese interpreter will also be made available.”
A selection panel will be made up of both Artback NT and Taiwanese representatives and the successful 2018 applicant will be announced in late March/early April.
Applications close Fri 2 Mar | artbacknt.com.au
Thumbnail image: Artback NT’s EO Louise Partos with Taiwanese artists, outside Etan Pavavalung’s Studio in Rinari; image by Lauren Hu, courtesy Australian Office Taipei
Banner image: Rinari – Taiwan; image by Lauren Hu, courtesy Australian Office Taipei
