Kinokuniya and the Indigenous Literacy Project’s fundraiser ‘I Heart Art’ was a
hit with Sydneysiders in August. It was a joyous occasion for art lovers and admirers
to come together and mingle, and an amazing chance to purchase the artworks of such
renowned illustrators as Kerry Argent, Bronwyn Bancroft, Freya Blackwood, Terry
Denton, Bob Graham, Peter Gouldthorpe, Leigh Hobbs, Dee Huxley, Ann James, Stephen
Michael King, Frané Lessac, Alison Lester, Jan Ormerod, Matt Ottley, Emma Quay,
Tohby Riddle, Elaine Russell, Craig Smith, Julie Vivas and Bruce Whatley…
Shaun Tan, the incredible artist behind the books ‘The Arrival’, ‘The Red Tree’,
‘The Lost Thing’ and ‘Tales From Outer Suburbia’, was at an easel during the evening,
creating one of his beautiful and poignant paintings to auction at the finale.
Some of the generous illustrators also turned up to the event, including Bruce Whatley,
Dee Huxley and Julie Vivas, giving audiences a chance to get to know their favourite
illustrators in person! Alison Lester had donated a stunning work of a penguin and
its chick, which was given away as a lucky door prize.
Ohad Rein, a musical superstar in Italy who is carving out a name for himself in
Australia under the name of Old Man River, got the audience’s toes tapping with
his acoustic set. He was later joined by his surprise guest, ILP Ambassador Josh
Pyke. The atmosphere buzzed with delight at this excess of culture.
The inspiring words of Ros and John Kundereri Moriarty gave supporters a real insight
into indigenous cultures and literacy. John spoke about his childhood in Borroloola
and being removed from it during the era of the Stolen Generation; and about his
education – John was the first Aboriginal to graduate from a University in South
Australia.
Ros Moriarty read short extracts from her book ‘Listening to Country’ about her
travels with her husband’s people in the Tanami desert, which shows an intimate
view of the lives, laws and spirituality of the women there.
In a recent interview on Radio National, Ros explained eloquently what it is like
to go into communities like these as a white person: "Listening to country" comes
from a Yanyuwa term, which is "ayankarrinjarra kiawarrewo," which means "listening
in a quiet place." The women made it really clear to me that you have to walk culture.
So, you can't talk the landscape - you need to walk it. The idea of going to the
Tanami is part of an age-old tradition that goes back to The Dreaming. It was a
mix, really, of ceremonial practice, of painting up, of singing, of dancing. Time
to be quiet in the landscape. As a non-Indigenous person coming into an Aboriginal
community, I should be listening a whole lot more than talking.” The entire Talking
Heads Interview with both Ros and John Moriarty can be
read online)
Author and ILP Ambassador Dr Anita Heiss, who has recently won the Deadly Award
for Outstanding Contribution to Literature, spoke about her education. When Anita
speaks, her fierce intelligence is practically palpable but, she said, she could
easily have been born into a community which didn’t have basic education facilities,
and she wouldn’t have been given those chances. Her talk gave audiences an understanding
of how much their support is valued, and needed, to give all children the education
opportunities which Anita had.
Organiser Anna McFarlane was rapt, “the night culminated into an entertainingly
fierce bidding war deftly conducted by guest auctioneer author Garth Nix,’ she said.
‘The inspiring words and presence of Ros and John Moriarty and the powerful words
of author and Indigenous Literacy Project ambassador Dr Anita Heiss, made this Indigenous
Literacy Project fundraiser a night to be remembered.”
Audiences left happy to feel part of something so richly cultural, and left the
event empowered to make a difference to Indigenous education.
I Heart Art was organized by Sarah Tran, Elspeth Menzies and Anna McFarlane. The
ILP is very grateful for their huge efforts and to the donating artists, for raising
$20,000 for the Indigenous Literacy Project!
Some of the donated artwork that was auctioned on the night