Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!; That’s the theme for NAIDOC week this year – and as Luke discovers, that is exactly what Boomalli have been inspiring their artists to do for the past thirty-five years.
Located in Leichhardt in Sydney’s Inner-west, Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-Operative is the state’s longest running Aboriginal-owned and run arts organisation and is dedicated to supporting and promoting NSW language group artists.
Boomalli provides a safe space for artists to exhibit, work and tell their stories through their art. They operate within a lateral co-operative structure with senior artists supporting and mentoring new and emerging artists. Their aim is to assist NSW Aboriginal artists to develop a divergent and professional skill set by providing them with first-hand experience, as well as supporting, promoting, educating and protecting copyright for artist members.
In the languages of the local Aboriginals ‘Boomalli’ means ‘to strike; to make a mark’ and one Boomalli artist that has well and truly left his mark on the world is none other than 2022 Archibald Prize-winner, Blak Douglas. Luke catches up with this incredible artist at the Art Gallery of NSW to find out what inspired his prize-winning piece, “Moby Dickens”.
FOR MORE INFO:
Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative
@boomalli_aboriginal_art
boomalli.com.au
Art Gallery of New South Wales
@artgalleryofnsw
