NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATION: annecto to host an Aboriginal Art Gallery and Exhibition on Kempsey’s main street.
Family is at the heart of the Kempsey Aboriginal community on the mid north coast of NSW and it’s the reason behind a group of the town’s Elders asking annecto, their aged care service provider, to help create an art exhibition as a way to help strengthen community bonds, particularly between the Elders and the younger generations.
“We wanted an opportunity for some of our young people to connect with their community, their family and their Elders through art and culture. To find a little bit of hope and a different way forward than the stories of the past”
That wish has become a reality with the opening of an Aboriginal Art Exhibition at annecto’s Kempsey office during NAIDOC Week. It will feature local artists, some of whom will be having their art on public display for the very first time.
“People say I’m a leader and a mentor to young Aboriginal men who end up in prison and that makes me feel pretty good. This is the first time I’ve had artwork in an exhibition and that makes me feel good too.”
To celebrate NAIDOC Week (8-15 November) annecto is working with Kempsey’s Aboriginal community to host a Pop-Up Gallery showcasing art and craft from local Aboriginal artists which explores this year’s theme: “Always Was, Always Will Be.”
The exhibition will showcase 8 artists including:
- Wayne ‘Parrot’ Barry
- Milton Budge (Deceased)
- Ethel Hoskins
- William Morris
- Nancy Pattison
- Kelly Roach
- Veronica ‘Lola’ Smith
- Elaine Widders
I have been creating artwork for more than 25 years. As a young man I worked as a
tattooist and that’s when I first started to draw. Then, in 1995, when I went to prison, I
started to paint, and I loved it.
When you are an Aboriginal man it’s easy to end up in prison. For a lot of us its like there’s
a highway running from school to jail, but it’s not all bad. In jail a lot of Aboriginal men get
to meet their extended family and spend time with their Uncles. It’s there, in prison, where
young ones can learn a lot about who they are and where they come from.
Wayne ‘Parrot’ Barry Artist
Thunggutti painter Milton Budge was born in 1941 at Burnt Bridge Mission, Kempsey, New
South Wales. He spent his early years on the Mission before being removed at the age of
13 by the Aborigines Welfare Board to nearby Kinchela Boys Home where he spent the
rest of his childhood.
After completing his High School Leaving Certificate at Kinchela, Budge undertook an
apprenticeship in auto-mechanics at Willoughby on Sydney’s North Shore and did his
study at Ultimo Technical College. He then worked as a Telegram Delivery Boy for the
Kings Cross Post Office in Williams Street, Kings Cross before he returned to Burnt Bridge
Mission in 1960 where he undertook casual seasonal labour working on local farms.
Milton Budge Artist
“I’m a Dunghutti women and I’ve lived my entire life in Kempsey.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m very creative and social. In particular, I love cooking
and making arts and craft.
I’ve always loved art and craft, and these days I mostly do a lot of sewing. I love making
bags and tableware and towel sets.
I like to support Aboriginal people and organisations with my cooking and sewing.
Every time there is a local community event or special gathering, everyone wants me to
make my fried scones and damper.
I think the art and craft Aboriginal people do is very important for keeping our culture
strong and for supporting our young people and showing them the way forward.”
Ethel Hoskins Artist
“My name is Kelly Roach and I’m a Kamilaroi woman from Moree in New South Wales.
I am an artist, hairdresser and Ambulance Officer who is married with two daughters and
one grandson.
I developed an interest in art from watching my mother paint when I was a teenager and
my love for art just grew from there.
I was 17 when I had my artwork included in an exhibition and since then I’ve had work
exhibited across Australia and around the world.
In Australia, I’ve had artwork exhibited at Gosford Regional Gallery, at the Sydney Opera
House, in the NSW Parliament House and at the Wyong Art Gallery.
Overseas I’ve been included inn exhibitions in Canada, America, France, Singapore,
Pakistan, Japan and Germany.
I’ve won a few art awards along the way, and have developed my own range of cosmetics
and souvenirs.”
Kelly Roach Artist
“My name is Veronica Smith, but everyone calls me Aunty Lola.
I’m a Gumbaynggbirr/Dunghutti Nation woman who has lived in the Macleay Valley for over 50
years and I call Kempsey home.
People often say I’m a women how knows what she wants in life. Really, I’m just passionate about
my family and my local community and I want the best for them.
I’ve got six children and many grand children and many great grand children, so I’m very
passionate about supporting young people and I’m doing my best to be a bit of a role model for
them.
I’m a member of the Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council and like to do my part when it comes
top local Aboriginal leadership.
Like other Aboriginal women in the local community, I see making art and craft as an important way
for us to share our culture and show our young people what’s possible.”
Veronica ‘Lola’ SmithArtist
“I am a proud Anaiwan woman who has lived in the Macleay Valley for more than 60 years.
I married a Dunghutti man and together we had three children. Over the years, our family
has grown and I now have more than 20 Great Grand Children.
On top of my love for family, I am a passionate gardener and homemaker and that’s where
I get my love of arts and craft from. I love making things for the home and for my family.
I’m also very passionate about young people. I think showing them our art and craft and
sharing our stories is a great way to help them find a good path in life.
As well as being an artist, I like being a community leader. I’m a member of the Kempsey
Local Aboriginal Land Council and think I bring a lot of life skills and experience of
supporting families and culture to the table.”
Elaine Widders Artist
My name is Nancy Pattsion and I’m a proud Dunghutti woman from South West Rocks, which is near the mouth of the Macleay River, about 40 kms north of Kempsey.
I’m a mother, artist and business woman. I love making unique handwoven jewellery using a range of bush materials and natural fibres, and I also design clothing including a range of swimwear.
Earlier this year I started up my own creative art and design business called ‘Minaku’, which is the Dunghutti word for ‘Pelican’.
I set up ‘Minaku’ to promote and sell my jewellery and clothing and to be a role model for other young Aboriginal women who want to share their culture and stories.
Nancy Pattison Artist
I have lived in Kempsey NSW, all my life with my mum and sisters.
I am a proud Dunghutti and Bundjalung man and very much into my Aboriginal culture.
I first started painting about 4 years ago and when I am painting,
I forget all what is going on around me. I get totally lost in the moment.
My designs represent the animals and colours of the landscape for each painting.
William MorrisArtist
My name is Beverly Hoskins and I’m a Dunghutti women. I’ve lived all of my life in Kempsey, New South Wales.
My Dunghutti name is Dudjiria Barunbatia, which was given to me by Aunty Rita Scott, which means ‘Teacher of the Dreamtime’.
My mother had 10 children — 5 boys and 5 girls. My mother’s totem is
the Cat Fish, and mine is the Turtle.
I’m a very creative person and I love painting and sewing. I like
sharing stories about my family and my culture through my paintings
and the things I sew.
I like to paint stories about going hunting and fishing and gathering
food.
Beverly HoskinsArtist
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The Gallery exhibition will officially open from 5pm on Wednesday 11 November 2020 and will be followed the next day with a Kempsey Elders Yarning Circle, a Storytelling session at 11am on Thursday 12 November.
annecto engages with and runs a range of support programs and activities which promote and enhance cultural diversity and social inclusion for the wider Macleay Valley community.
Having recently moved to new, multi-purpose retail and office space on Smith Street, the main street of Kempsey, annecto intend the Pop Up Gallery to provide artists and the community with a taste of what is to come when from 2021, the space will hold a permanent gallery, artist studio and café.
For Further Media Information
Michael Hercock
Executive Manager, NSW
Michael.hercock@annecto.org.au
Mobile: 0404 861 366
Kerry Wade
Practice Leader
Kerry.wade@annecto.org.au
Mobile: 0419 766 794
Paulette Whitton
Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Paulette.Whitton@annecto.org.au
Mobile: 0412 683 302