A collision in a scientific sense is a creative act; an encounter between particles resulting in the exchange or transformation of energy; the creation of something new.
A partnership project between SAM and Gallery Kaiela, Collisions provides a year-long opportunity for artists from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds to come together and collaborate in the making of art. The project will see a number of local Aboriginal artists partnering with established contemporary artists from outside the region, collaborating side by side, or in response to each other's practice. Through the sharing of ideas, narratives and techniques, the artists will engage in an exploration of cultural differences and similarities, forging relationships in a dialogic exchange that departs from the art making process. The outcome of these conversations and artistic investigations will be an exhibition - Saturday 21 November 2015 - Sunday 14 February 2016.

The participants include: Jack Anselmi, Eric Brown, Aunty Cynthia Hardy, Eva Ponting and Lyn Thorpe with Naomi Ota, Sangeeta Sandrasegar, Vipoo Srivilasa and Joseph L Griffiths

Funders of this project include Sir Andrew & Lady Fairley Foundation, Margaret Lawrence Bequest/Perpetual Trustees, Allan Myers and the Besen Foundation.

More information and Enquiry: Gallery Kaiela / Shepparton Art Museum

Images: 'Vessels of life'
by Naomi Ota with Aunty Cynthia Hardy, Eva Ponting and Lyn Thorpe

This installation is a collaboration exploring individual art, cultural skills and knowledge to create ‘an environment…an imaginative landscape’ where we can wonder and seek a connection to a landscape that intersects universal meaning. Throughout this process, we exchanged creative interests, cultural histories and thoughts interlinked to the importance of ‘hands on’ practices, for Indigenous Peoples & artists.

The installation symbolises water veins, trees, branches, roots, genealogy, as well as the bloodstream that flows through the red of the room. Baby mobiles like strings could be also interpreted as naval cords. The small objects attached on the strings show some characteristics of culture & nature surrounding us.  Coolamons as vessels represent spiritual birthplaces - where we come from and a place of waiting, breathing, and the creation of new life.

Spaces in-between the bottom of mobiles and coolamons are invisible statement where viewers can place their own imaginative stories of ‘vessels of life’. We hope our audience can explore their own journey and little discoveries through experiencing the installation.

Photos: Naomi Ota