"Ngarpin (Sorry) Exhibition by Wayne Quilliam"
2008-03-06 until 2008-03-06
Koori Heritage Trust Cultural Centre
Melborne, VI, AU Australia

“With this apology, the world witnessed a country coming together- regardless of race, religion creed of politics- to share a moment of sincere, inclusive, respectful and public reconciliation”, said Chief Phil Fontaine, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations representing the Indigenous citizens of Canada. This significant moment in Australian history was applauded throughout the world but none more so than by Indigenous people gathered in front of televisions, listening on the radio and inside the nations capital. Wayne Quilliam Australia’s leading Indigenous photographer was in Canberra to document this historic event for the national Indigenous newspaper Koori Mail and developed this series of work to celebrate the groundbreaking speech. Wayne Quilliam has been a Premiere Portfolio Member at absolutearts.com since 2001.

Quilliam said “I have had the honour to photograph significant Indigenous events over many years and each has left an indelible mark on my being. When photographing these type of events, you try to remain a little detached to ensure absolute professionalism and objectivity, this time it was impossible. Each individual images has absorbed the emotion of the day and I hope everyone that experiences this exhibition feels the spirit of the work”  “I would like to thank all the Uncles and Aunties, brothers and sisters for allowing me to capture their unbridled emotions, I would also like to thank Koori Mail for inviting me document the day and the Koori Heritage Trust for being the first to display this work”

Wayne Quilliam is one of Australia’s most prominent Aboriginal photographic artists with more than 100 solo and group exhibitions in Australia, Europe, Asia and the USA. He will open his latest contemporary exhibition in Melbourne April 9 then open his ‘Lowanna’ exhibition in Berlin June 29 2008.

View more of Quilliam's work in his Portfolio at: http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/w/waynequilliam/

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Australia

Other Important Exhibitions in Australia