Image: Native Dance Ocean Island circa 1900. Photo from the Archives of the British Phosphate Commissioners, Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia

“Agriculture is not in our blood, but our blood is in agriculture.”

Teresia Kieuea Teaiwa (1968-2017)

Carriageworks presents Project Banaba from 17 November until 17 December 2017, a solo exhibition by Banaban scholar and artist Katerina Teaiwa that commemorates the history of Banaba Island in the Pacific Ocean. Banaba Island was destroyed by environmentally devastating phosphate mining during the 20th century, leading to the total relocation of its people in 1945, with the 72nd anniversary of their displacement being marked on 15 December 2017 during the exhibition dates.

Curated by Yuki Kihara, working closely with artist Katerina Teaiwa, this exhibition brings together rare historical archives and new work that sheds light on this little known era of Australian history and its ongoing impact on contemporary Pacific communities.

Image: Steven Siewert

The Big Anxiety Festival, the biggest mental health and arts festival in the world, launched today supported by principal partner the Bridging Hope Charity Foundation. The Festival will explore and re-imagine the state of mental health in the 21st century from 20 September to 11 November.

Tackling the big anxieties of our times, as well as the stresses and strains of everyday life, The Big Anxiety Festival presents over 60 events across Sydney with hubs located at Customs House, Riverside Theatres Parramatta, and UNSW Paddington.

Bridging Hope Charity Foundation Director Stephen Fitzpatrick said: “Bridging Hope Charity Foundation supports the twin pillars of arts and mental health in our communities.  We are very proud to be the Principal Supporter of this very worthwhile event, with the aims of the Festival that mirror the vision of our Foundation – Bridging the arts and mental health for improved wellbeing.”

IMAGE: Deborah Kelly, Birth of Beenus (remix), Commissioned by Bundanon Trust exclusively for SITEWORKS, 2017

Bundanon Trust’s annual spring festival, SITEWORKS, brings together contemporary artists, scientists and environmentalists for a weekend of festivities at the iconic Bundanon Homestead. This year SITEWORKS programming explores the theme of ‘The Birds & The Bees’. Presented over a full day and night on Saturday 23 September, SITEWORKS invites visitors to camp overnight on the historic property that is the former home and studio of Arthur Boyd.

Bundanon Trust CEO, Deborah Ely explains: “The birds and the bees have captured our collective imagination for millennia so this year’s event promises to be an intriguing mix with suggestive connotations woven in. There’s a palpable sense of anticipation as the artists, scientists and community members involved unveil their personal responses to the theme and property”.

Image: Jacquie Manning

The third edition of Australasia’s premier international art fair, Sydney Contemporary 2017, has attracted 26,500 collectors and art enthusiasts and secured AUD$16 million in art work sales over its five-day presentation at multi-arts precinct Carriageworks from 6 – 10 September.

Innovative social enterprise Among Equals launched its flagship exhibition, Bilum Bags From Papua New Guinea, at leading Sydney design store Koskela, accompanied by a short documentary film showcasing the women bilum-weavers of PNG.

Among Equals founder, Caroline Sherman, said: ‘Among Equals is a brand that empowers women in PNG. We partner with Bilum weaving communities to help bring their exquisite traditional bags to an international audience of design lovers, create viable income for the weavers and their families, and preserve a long-standing cultural practice. 100% of profits from Bilum sales go back to the communities, dramatically lifting their lives.’

Bilum Bags From Papua New Guinea is accompanied by an installation of large-format photographs of the women weavers at work, and an 8 minute documentary film, Among Equals – Transforming Lives, shot on location in Port Moresby and the Highlands of PNG by filmmaker Maximilian Homaei. The film gives a moving insight into the daily lives of the women, as they tell powerful stories of how the sale of Bilum bags through Among Equals directly and positively impacts them and their families.