Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation's Coolamon Arts Hub has announced its inaugural exhibition, Truth-Telling: Our Past, Present and Future is on the move. For the next two months the groundbreaking exhibition will be on display at the Uniting Church Paddington, on Gadigal country, providing the opportunity to educate and inform a new audience.
Showcasing deadly artworks by Kinchela Boys Home Survivors, Truth-Telling: Our Past, Present and Future features artwork that shares the Uncles' experiences of KBH, the legacies it has left on their lives and the journey of reuniting and healing.
The exhibition also features Noongar and Spinifex visual storyteller Tace Steven's photographic collaboration with the KBH Survivors, We Were Just Little Boys.
Established, mid-career and emerging artists in this exhibition include works by KBH Survivors such as Uncle Richard Campbell, Uncle Roger Jarret, Uncle Bobby Young and Uncle Milton Budge.
For decades, many KBH Survivors have turned to art as a powerful form of truth-telling, healing, and cultural reclamation. Through their artistry they have been able to rebuild their social and emotional wellbeing by sharing their stories and memories and exploring how their experiences have impacted on themselves, their children and grandchildren.
The Survivors are also working to teach the next generation.
"We can hopefully show the way for other people to learn from our pain," Uncle Richard said.
"We're trying to be the leaders, and role models for our kids."
The Truth-Telling: Our Past, Present and Future Exhibition will launch Friday, September 11, and will include guest speakers, artist talks, selected artworks for sale, and light refreshments.
The Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) Coolamon Arts Hub thanked their partners the Paddington Uniting Church and the Newtown Mission for supporting this exhibition.
The organisers noted that "with the devastating impact that the church and religious communities have had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities since invasion, some may question why the KBHAC Coolamon Arts Hub would exhibit in a church".
"The reason why is because KBHAC recognises the importance of truth telling in places that played a role in these past policies," they said.
The Uniting Church at Paddington "aims to be a progressive community hub driven by justice and creativity", describing itself as "a Christian community pursuing justice, inclusiveness, faith and creativity". It includes Pastor Raymond Minniecon, Kabi-Kabi and Gurang-Gurang man, respected Elder and co-founder of the Coloured Digger Project honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.
Uncle Ray was also the first chief executive of KBHAC. Together with his fellow Pastoral colleague, Mike Hercock, they are working to create a safe space within Uniting Church Paddington for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, KBHAC Coolamon Arts Hub noted.
This exhibition provides an opportunity for KBHAC to work with Uniting Church Paddington to educate and inform its congregation and visitors about the Stolen Generations and KBH and its impacts on Survivors, Descendants, Families and communities.
All the proceeds of artwork sold goes into investing in Survivors, their Descendants and Families and the KBH Community.
The exhibition opening is September 11, 6pm to 8pm at the Paddington Uniting Church on Oxford Street. Registration to attend is available online.
