Aurukun artist Alair Pambegan has been selected to showcase his cultural stories at this year’s National Indigenous Art Triennial. Photo: Supplied.
The legacy of an Aurukun family will travel more than 3,000 kilometres south to Canberra after a community artist was selected to present his work at one of the most prestigious First Nations exhibitions in the country.
Sculptor and painter Alair Pambegan has been named one of 10 artists unveiling their work at this year’s iteration of the National Indigenous Art Triennial.
Hosted by the National Gallery of Australia, the exhibition has showcased more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists since its inception in 2007.
The fifth iteration, After the Rain, will present new immersive projects that resonate with the idea of rebirth and cycles of cleansing, and celebrate inter-generational legacies and cultural warriors of the past, present and future.
“This is the biggest opportunity Alair has had since his father and he collaborated with contemporary artist Tony Albert back in 2016,” Wik and Kugu Arts Centre manager Gabriel Waterman said.
“This is big for Alair and his children; culture needs to be practiced and handed down to the next generation, which is another great outcome of this exhibition; Alair’s son has been involved in helping with production, along with Tony Albert, who is the lead curator for this year’s Triennial.”
Mr Pambegan, whose works are based on sculptural and painting traditions passed on by his father, said he would be going all out for the opportunity.
“I will be exhibiting the flying fox story in a big gallery in Canberra,” he said.
“This will be the largest artwork that I’ve ever done, and could be the largest of its kind in Australia.
“The flying fox story is about ceremony, and the ancient traditions passed to us from our old people since the dawn of time.”
Mr Waterman said the artist’s unique work, driven by the teachings of his father, got him the spot in the flagship exhibition.
“Alair’s father was a famous lore man and artist; he travelled the world with his art and taught Alair the ins and outs of what it takes to practice and share culture in the 21st century,” he said.
“Alair’s art practice is unlike any form in Australia or the world; the colours and particular carvings of the totemic flying fox and bonefish are only found on Alair’s Country.
“This, along with his father’s legacy, is why he has been selected as an artist in this year’s Triennial.”
After the Rain will open on 6 December and tour nationally after its presentation in Canberra.
