Noongar Country 2022 art exhibition returns to Bunbury Regional Art Gallery

Indigenous artists living and working on Noongar Boodja are again set to be celebrated as one of the South West’s most popular exhibitions returns to the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery.

This year’s Noongar Country — an annual exhibition featuring art from established and emerging Indigenous artists living in the area — will open on Friday and centre around the theme Kaarla Koort-ak: Woonya, Moort, Boodja — Hearts on Fire: Love, Family, Country.

BRAG said they invited artists to explore themes around uniting people, and the exhibition would offer them the opportunity to extend their practice and exhibit their artwork for sale.

Director Mike Bianco said it was a great pleasure to host the community, artists and curators at the BRAG.

“Noongar Country as an exhibition has celebrated First Nations artists in the region for more than 20 years and we are grateful for the community’s ongoing participation in this annual event,” he said.

“We are also grateful to all the artists participating in the exhibition, and for the vision and courage of this year’s curatorial team in Amanda Bell, Karen Morgan, and Katelyn Whitehurst.

“To the community, artists, and curators alike, it is a great honour for BRAG to host you all.”

BRAG said they have a goal of promoting high-quality Indigenous art to a contemporary audience, with several prizes for standout pieces.

Alcoa has sponsored the main award for the exhibition, with the City of Bunbury offering an $8000 major prize for the most impressive artwork.

A $2000 emerging artist award sponsored by South West Development Commission and a $1500 viewer’s choice award from Umbrella Realty will also be presented.

The awards were set to be announced at an opening event at BRAG on Friday, May 27 from 6 pm, with the community invited to share in a night of “song, stories, food and wine” to celebrate this year’s artists.

Noongar Country 2022 will be on display from Friday, May 27, until August 21, and the BRAG said several other public programs are set to be announced soon.