Maiwar

Brisbane’s laneways become art galleries for Maiwar, the exciting exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, in the month of July.

Maiwar refers to the word the traditional owners called what we now know as the Brisbane River, and parts of the exhibition – the signature event of Black History Month – are nightly projections onto the William Jolly Bridge, such as Brooke Andrew’s Stripes of Life (2016) from 25 – 31 July. There’s also an installation at the Museum of Brisbane by Judy Watson called water dragon (2011), a work inspired by the 2011 floods and which melds contemporary city elements with the traditional Aboriginal history of Kurilpa and Montague Road.

The Vibrant Laneways Outdoor Gallery sites for you to explore the Maiwar exhibition are Eagle Lane, Hutton Lane, Fish Lane, Giffin Lane and even an honorary ‘lane’ – King George Square Car Park. You’ll see wonderful artworks by Judy Watson, Hannah Brontë, Glennys Briggs, Archie Moore, Megan Cope, Ryan Presley and others.

If you’d like some explanation about the exhibition as you go, it’s worth booking a free Guided Walking Tour which culminates with a performance of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture at Gathering in the Queen Street Mall. (Please note there is no performance on 20 July). Alternatively, D.I.Y. with a self-guided tour courtesy of the Story City App (available via Google Play or Apple iTunes store).

Conversation sessions with artists and curators – Brisbane-based collective, Blaklash – at the Museum of Brisbane are also free but bookings are required.

For more information about Maiwar’s featured artists and works, as well as Black History month, look at the Brisbane City Council website HERE

By Vicki Englund