Coinciding with NAIDOC Week, Australia's largest online art marketplace, Bluethumb, has announced the return of its annual Indigenous art exhibition.
This year's exhibition is Bluethumb's biggest-ever showcase of Indigenous art, with the exhibition featuring more than 100 works by leading First Nations artist Maria Watson-Trudgett alongside established and emerging artists from eight of Australia's most respected and remote Indigenous Art Centres.
Running from 3-9 September at Bluethumb's Melbourne and Adelaide galleries, the exhibition - which echoes the 2024 NAIDOC Week theme - celebrates the creative ventures of First Nations artists and invites deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture.
The exhibition profiles a selection of works by Brisbane-based Wiradyuri artist Maria Watson-Trudgett, who paints the rivers and Country landscape where she grew up, and shares stories of the Wiradyuri people (River People), who are experienced hunters, fishers, gatherers and bush trackers.
A painter for more than 20 years, Watson-Trudgett's work has also been commissioned for national and international private collections and galleries and included in Reconciliation Action Plans, NAIDOC materials and brand icons.
"I am delighted to participate in the NAIDOC Week Exhibition and for the opportunity to share my Aboriginal culture with Bluethumb customers," Watson-Trudgett said.
"NAIDOC Week is a time to increase awareness of Australia's rich and diverse First Nations cultures. A time to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions and achievements that First Nations peoples make to our shared society," she said.
"Bluethumb has supported me to share my Aboriginal culture and artworks to many different locations throughout the world. All Bluethumb promotions and sales of my artwork contribute to the preservation of the longest-living culture in the world."
In addition to Watson-Trudgett, the new exhibition also features original works by artists from eight Indigenous Arts Centres that promote the culture and support the livelihoods of local communities in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Central Australia and Queensland.
They art centres include Inkwareny Artists of Yuelamu, lltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre, Injalak Arts, Maningrida Arts & Culture, Marrawuddi Arts and Culture, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Tjalirli Art and Warlukurlangu.
Well-known artist Mervyn Rubuntja (lltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre) and young rising stars of the Indigenous arts scene Antonia Napangardi Michaels and Reanne Nampijinpa Brown (Warlukurlangu) are among the art centre names on show.
In response to the continued growth and interest in Indigenous art in Australia, Bluethumb has also opened a second gallery space - Studio Gallery 2 - at its Richmond location dedicated to showcasing work solely by First Nations artists.
Bluethumb co-founder, George Hartley said it is his and the organisation's mission to make First Nations art more accessible to both Australian and global collectors.
"Bluethumb has long held a mission to make First Nations art more accessible to Australian and global collectors," he said.
"For remote communities, art sales are often the only source of income, and through our platform, we aim to help them to reach new audiences for their work.
"Our latest NAIDOC Week exhibition is a celebration of the spirit of our Indigenous communities.
"We're proud to bring this exciting collection of work from the farthest corners of the country to urban audiences, and continue our close relationship with these important arts spaces."
For more than a decade, Bluethumb has partnered with 28 (more than a quarter) of Australia's most remote Indigenous Art Centres to create an inclusive space where artists can express their creativity, share stories through their work, and connect with art collectors in Australia and around the world.
Bluethumb has sold more than 100,000 pieces of original art since it launched in 2012.
As Australia's largest online art marketplace, it's home to more than 20,000 active artists, and has returned to them $50 million in earned income. It has supported numerous artists to find new career pathways and financial freedom through art.
This special NAIDOC Week exhibition showcase is set to further celebrate the talent of First Nations artists whilst also exposing their work to new consumers from around the world.
Exhibition Details:
Keep the Fire Burning
3-9 September 2024
Melbourne gallery - 330 Bridge Rd, Richmond
Open from 9am-5.30pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 11.30am-8pm Thursday and 10am-4pm Saturday (closed Sunday).
Adelaide gallery - 72A King William Rd, Goodwood
Open from 9am-5pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am-8pm Thursday and 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.
Keep the Fire Burning is open free to the public from Wednesday, 3 July to Thursday, 9 September.
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