A series of workshops for young indigenous people across the New England region will be an opportunity for for them to reflect on the significance of the Myall Creek Massacre 180 years later and create a new work to be included in an exhibition at the New England Regional Art Museum as part of this year’s commemorations.
The workshops will be held with Kamilaroi/Gomeroi singer/ songwriters Radical Son (David Leha) and Quralia Knox who will lead a touring musical workshop that explores the history of Myall Creek, the importance of truth-telling in reconciliation, and the role of the arts in healing- including creative responses to trauma.
Workshop participants will:
- Gain experience in singing and songwriting;
- Learn the facts of the Myall Creek Massacre & why it remains significant to Australia today;
- Contribute to a new creative music work that builds on responses to the story of Myall Creek.
About the artists:
Quarralia Knox
Hailing from a family of musicians in Tamworth, the Australian Country Music Capital, for many years Quarralia kept her passion for music buried within. Her paternal grandfather Roger Knox, and maternal grandmother Auriel Andrew are Aboriginal country music legends; her father Buddy Knox tours the country and the world with his blues band, largely comprised of her brothers. She was a participant in the Yanaya project by Beyond Empathy in 2017 which culminated in a performance at the 2017 Black Gully Festival and at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Radical Son (David Leha)
From hip hop roots to soulful social statement Radical Son is a man with a purpose. His music, both potent and sublime, conjures uncompromising visions and merciless lyrics of where we’ve come from and what could be. From a troubled past to songs of humility and healing his journey is universally understood. David Leha has worked with festivals around Australia and his musical direction of Beyond Empathy’s Yanaya project in 2017 resulted in a seamless performance by young people from across the New England region at festivals in Armidale and Tamworth.
Myall Creek and beyond is a multi-arts project exploring the history and impact of the Myall Creek Massacre which will result in an exhibition at the New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale from June October 2018.
The workshops will be held at:
Monday 9 April 2018
10.30am – 1.30pm
Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Center and Keeping Place,Kentucky St, Armidale
5.00 – 8.00pm
Oorala Aboriginal Centre, University of New England, Armidale
Tuesday 10 April 2018
10.30am – 1.30pm
Community Centre, 9 Hill St, Uralla
5.00 – 8.00pm
Wednesday 11 April 2018
10.30am – 1.30pm
Community Hall, Dutton Pde, Guyra
5.00 – 8.00pm
Gawura Gallery, 9979 New England Hwy, Glen Innes
Thursday 12 April 2018
10.30am – 1.30pm
Inverell Art Gallery, 5 Evans Street
5.00 – 8.00pm
The Roxy (upstairs function area), 74 Maitland St, Bingara
Friday 13 April 2018
10.30am – 1.30pm
To book click on each venue in the list above.
Further details will be posted on NERAM’s facebook page.
Myall Creek and Beyond is presented by the New England Regional Art Museum in partnership with the Friends of Myall Creek, University of New England, the Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place, Beyond Empathy, Arts North West and the Oorala Aboriginal Centre at the University of New England. Supported by the Regional Arts Fund, the New South Wales Government through Create NSW and the Australian Government Department of Communications and the Arts Indigenous Language and Arts Program.
