Reconciliation Week 2023
Art is perfect vehicle for Reconciliation Week message
The artworks of Greenbank-based First Nations artist Jessica Skeen-McKinnon (Muralappi) are about to go mobile to mark National Reconciliation Week 2023.
Eye-catching artwork by Jessica is being used to wrap the exterior of one of Logan City Council’s vans to be used by the venues and events team.
Jessica, who comes from a highly artistic First Nations family, is also the artist behind the designs featured at Logan Gardens water play area.
Council chose a vehicle that was highly visible in the community to wrap with Jessica’s artwork to demonstrate its support of reconciliation.
National Reconciliation Week, from Sunday, May 27 to Saturday, June 3, is a time to learn about the shared histories, culture and achievements of First Nations people.
It also provides a chance to explore ways to contribute to reconciliation through the week’s theme – Be a Voice for Generations.
Council encourages the community to support the week and join in local activities.
The Logan District Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Elders is hosting ‘Yarning with Our Mob’ from 10.30am to 12.30pm tomorrow (Saturday, May 20) at Logan Central Library.
The session is open to all ages and will explore the National Reconciliation Week theme.
Bookings are suggested and can be made via loganlibraries.org/whats-on/
In a second event, local entertainers Nana Magic and Tilly and Friends will take audiences on an outback adventure filled with dancing and singing during their two free under 8’s Reconciliation Week shows.
The shows are from 10am to 11am on Wednesday, May 31 at Logan Central Library and 11am to noon on Friday, June 2 at Logan West Library.
Logan Central Library is also home to the dedicated Nyeumba-Meta space featuring a collection of books and artefacts, artwork and regular events recognising Australia’s First Nations people.
Logan Art Gallery is currently showing artworks produced by members of the Cape York Peninsula community of Hopevale.
The Hopevale Arts and Cultural Centre is at the heart of Guugu Yimithirr culture and a space where Aboriginal people of all ages pass on their cultural traditions as well as their traditional language which is spoken daily by many local people.
The To the light (Wulungurr-Bi) exhibition, specially commissioned for Logan Art Gallery, features paintings and textiles under the Hopevale Collective banner as well as fashion garments designed in partnership with QUT fashion students.
It is one of four exhibitions on display at the gallery until Saturday, June 10.
National Reconciliation Week activities in Queensland include an exhibition at The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, a Queensland Youth Orchestra concert at the QPAC Concert Hall and an art display by First Nations artists at the UQ Art Museum.
Full details of National Reconciliation Week events throughout Australia can be found online at nrw.reconciliation.org.au/calendar/
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said the aim of National Reconciliation Week was to encourage people to speak up for reconciliation in their homes, workplaces and out in the community.
“We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples of Australia,” Cr Power said.
“We recognise the past and are working together to be one community.”