The National Museum of Australia's first international exhibition - about the past and present lives of Australian indigenous communities - opens in China on 6 December

17th November 2002

INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA GOES TO CHINA
"Stories from Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples" has been specially prepared by the National Museum of Australia for the Guangzhou Museum of Art, to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Australia.

The exhibition, going only to Guangzhou in China, profiles nine diverse indigenous communities around Australia, their lives and beliefs, their distinctive stories and art.

"This exhibition - taking the world?s oldest surviving culture to one of the world?s most ancient civilisations - is an exciting overseas start to our plans next year to tour far beyond Canberra," said National Museum of Australia Director, Dawn Casey. "We have selected unique and culturally meaningful objects which are not only very beautiful, but will give visitors an insight to the lives and stories of the people who made them."

The exhibition, on show until 9 February, 2003, also explores the influence of Ancestors and country, the message of ceremonies and the survival of ancient traditions.

"The National Museum exhibition captures the essence of indigenous Australian culture," said Mr Li Zhouqi, Acting Director-General of the Guangzhou Museum of Art. "Chinese people are very interested in their own minority cultures, for instance in Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. So indigenous cultures from far away are very interesting to us."

Stories from Australia profiles urban artists and the Ngarrindjeri people from south eastern Australia; the Wik from northern Australia, the Yarrabah from North Queensland and communities in Central Australia, Arnhem Land, the Kimberley and Saibai Island.

"Impressive support from Chinese government and business leaders has helped us create this remarkable exhibition and also bring with it a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and performers for the opening week, " Ms Casey said. "We are also exploring further exchanges with China in curatorial and conservation skills."

Stories from Australia is backed by donations from Mr and Mrs Chau Chak-wing, Mr Cui Zhen Ji and Mrs Liao Wen Ying. Major sponsors include Linkage Communications Co Ltd, China Southern Airlines Co Ltd, China Hotel by Marriott and AustraliaLNG, which recently won the contract to supply natural gas to the Guangdong province.

For enquiries please contact Martin Portus at the National Museum of Australia on +61 2 6208 5351 or 0409 916 481 or email: m.portus@nma.gov.au