April 7, 2014

Aboriginal artist and activist to visit UOW

Indigenous artist and activist to visit UOW

Brisbane-based Indigenous artist and political activist Richard Bell will spend three days engaging with students, staff and the general public at UOW from Tuesday 8 April.

Mr Bell was born in 1953 in Charleville, Queensland, and is a member of the Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman and Gurang Gurang communities. Today, he is an internationally recognised artist and describes himself as a 'propagandist' making 'liberation art'.

On 8 April, Mr Bell will speak at a Forum for Indigenous Research Excellence public seminar titled “Walk the Talk”.

During his visit to UOW, Mr Bell will also be a mentor to UOW Visual Arts students, assisting them on their creative journeys and to identify their cultural influences as they develop major works. He will also meet with Indigenous students to discuss their academic work.

Dr Bronwyn Carlson, Senior Lecturer in the Indigenous Studies Unit within the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry at UOW and convener of the Indigenous Research Excellence Forums said Mr Bell’s visit is an important event for the UOW community. 

“We are absolutely delighted to have Richard visit UOW. It is important that students have opportunities to engage with a variety of Indigenous voices and to learn from scholars such as Richard who have dedicated their lives to Aboriginal emancipation and self-determination.”

Growing out of a generation of Aboriginal activists, Mr Bell has remained committed to the politics of Aboriginal emancipation and self-determination. Embassy, a collection of Mr Bell’s work centred around the recreation of the Aboriginal tent embassy, is currently on show at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art as part of the Perth Festival.

Mr Bell is also the host of Colour Theory, a program about the contemporary indigenous art landscape on National Indigenous Television (NITV). The show is now in its second season.

Walking the Talk, presented by Richard Bell
Tuesday, 8 April, 12.30-1.30PM | Building 28, Room 101, UOW