Celebrating Australian Indigenous art: valuing culture, relationships and building strength through art

The Wollotuka Institute, an Indigenous unit of the University of Newcastle presents an account of the impetus and outcomes achieved through a contemporary Aboriginal Art exhibition. This account addresses the process of establishing the inaugural Wollotuka Acquisitive Art Prize (WAAP), the challenges experienced, the exhibition opening, the outcomes achieved and projections for future exhibitions. Initially developed to support Indigenous fine art students, the exhibition now includes emergent and professional Indigenous artists from east coast of Australia. WAAP celebrates the spirit of Indigenous culture and country, capturing storylines in both traditional and contemporary format. Artworks submitted featured stories of creation in Dreamtime, spirit of culture and country. WAAP successfully fused traditional art practice with contemporary themes to present artworks that highlighted what it means to live on the coast of NSW, and reunited these communities in an event that included Indigenous music, bush tucker foods and dancing. Community engagement and development were key factors that underpin the WAAP Exhibition. The lead up to the exhibition generated awareness of the courses available at the University of Newcastle. The Wollotuka Art Exhibition builds community awareness, creates opportunities for artistic development, and assists in extending the profile of The Wollotuka Institute