Salon Indigenous Art Projects
The annual Salon des Refusés exhibition is set to look a little different this year.
Co-organiser Matt Ward says the show will surprise regular viewers of the exhibition, now in its sixth year, which highlights the work rejected from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.
“Salon des Refusés is going to be quite different,” he says.
“We’ve really curated this show and thought about what Salon des Refusés is.
“The hang is going to be very different and people are going to be surprised when they see it – it’s unlike anything we’ve done before.”
The Salon empire has also expanded, with Ward and colleague Paul Johnstone combining their curatorial expertise in Salon Indigenous Art Projects, launching five complementing exhibitions for Aboriginal art lovers to sink their teeth into this August.
“We’re really excited – we’re not sure if two commercial galleries have ever attempted anything like this before,” Ward says.
“I’m really thrilled about the diverse range of artistic styles – we’re covering a massive area of country in these shows.”
Their Searcy Street Gallery has been open since June, and Ward says the presence in the city has been valuable.
“It’s been good to have a gallery in the CBD for us to spread the word about the important role that arts centres play.
“We have been working with Art Centres for a long time.
“Supporting the Art Centre model is integral to sourcing good quality artwork, and doing the right thing by the artists and communities. Not only that – but it is something Paul and I find extremely rewarding.”
A map linking all the galleries is available.
Barayuwa Mununggurr – The Bones Beneath (Ngaraka Ngoyngura) | Wed 1 – Fri 31 Aug | Official Opening Thu 9 Aug, 4pm | Searcy Street Gallery
Pepai Jangala Carroll | Wed 1 – Fri 31 Aug | Official Opening Sat 11 Aug, 11am | Outstation
Mulkun Wirrpanda – Maypal: Shellï¬sh of the Arafura Coast | Wed 1 – Fri 31 Aug | Official Opening Sat 11 Aug, 12.30pm | Vickers St Gallery
Salon des Refusés 18 | Wed 8 Aug – Sat 6 Oct | Opening Wed 8 Aug, 6pm | Charles Darwin University Art Gallery
Taylor Cooper and Witjiti George | Fri 10 – Sat 25 Aug | Official Opening Fri 10 Aug, 1pm | Paul Johnstone Gallery
Mick Rictor | Fri 10 – Mon 20 Aug | Opening Fri 10 Aug, 3.30-5.30pm | Tactile Arts
