THE KEEPING PLACE

Peter Cooley and Sarah Martin, Directors Koori Communication and Training, Gordon Syron3/5/2008

"It is our mission to have Aboriginal people make a living out of their own culture, to stop non-indigenous people stealing Aboriginal culture, for Self-Determination, to take some of the wealth back to the people, to give everybody self respect to be running their own culture."

Gordon Syron, a Black Fella's Dream

Indigenous pioneer artist, Gordon Syron, is well-known for his satirical paintings, and over the last 30 years Gordon and wife, Elaine, have collected over 1300 pieces of Indigenous art, representing a unique songline of both the contemporary and traditional.

According to Indigenous film-maker, Adrian Wills,"this work embodiesartwork from internationally recognised artists that will be viewed as artistically and culturally important as history is told."

Indigenous performer, Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, says "part of our healing is that this collection becomes a "keeping place". It's very spiritual and very deep. As the head of this committee I propose that one person or a group, purchase these historical artworks, and they be turned back over to us for our future, (see above mission statement that saysit all). The social and emotional well-being is of utmost importance for the healing to begin." ( Rhonda is currently undertaking her Masters of Aboriginal Studies In Social & Emotional Well-Being).

Other members of the Committee are Matthew Poll, Director of Boomalli, Genevieve Grieves, Film-maker (with work-experience at Koori Heritage Trust, Vic.), Domynck Kanak, Deputy Lord Mayor of Waverly.

Central to the heart of artworks is a Sorry Room where people can make their peace with Australian History in a quiet room or place in which they can reflect and comment... in a book.

Syron started his collection in an effort to preserve a whole contemporary Indigenous urban art movement embodying Aboriginal protest. Gordon says, "I couldn't bear to sell my historical paintings cheaply, and then I couldn't bear to sell cheaply other Black Fellas' paintings it was a dream to try to keep them together to tell a story about Australia's political Aboriginal history".

This collection of culture has contemporary artworks by emerging artists and established artists. They include five large Gordon Hookeys, Tracey Moffatt, six large Christine Christopherson on Kakadu mining, Michael Riley, large Darren Cooper, Merv Bishop, a strong & large Bronwyn Bancroft, Karla Dickens, James P Simon, Yondee, a didge collection, book collection,doll collection and a rare sculpture collection. Some other important traditional pieces are two large bark paintings by Robin Nganjmirra, eight (early) controversial Clifford Possums, 4 early Gabriella Possums, 66 bodypaintings by Emily Kngwarreye and her family, an early Michael Jagamara Nelson, an early Lily Sandover, an early Malcolm Jagamara, & 40 Bunda NT. paintings. And the works of Gordon Syron himself include Judgement By His Peers, David Gulpilil, The Black Bastards Are Coming and most recent Black Fairies and Aboriginal Diggers.

According to Professor Vivien Johnson of COFA "Gordon introduced a new generation of young Aboriginal artists to the idea that art can give them a voice. Gordon Syron is a very important artist."

Gordon and Elaine's Black Fella's Dreaming Collection is now being stored in a warehouse in Redfern-Sydney, but they are calling on Museums, Art Galleries, Indigenous Organisations, Politicians and Corporations to find a 'Keeping Place' for this body of work, so it isn't sold off separately and the importance of these urban Aboriginal stories that are embodied in this collection are not lost.

The Menzies Group Aboriginal Art Sales for this year alone was 8.7 million.

"It is our belief that this collection needs to be protected and catalogued and then displayed for public enjoyment. This unique collection has historical importance and is of educational importance," Gordon said. "In most other countries there is an Indian Collection or Jewish Museum or Native American Museum of artwork and we need to have an Aboriginal Museum/Keeping Place established in Sydney to capture & inform the tourist market."

The next step is to form SUB-COMMITTEES to support this valuable historical Aboriginal-Owned resource. If you would like to be part of this committee or have ideas how to help or...

If you would like to view this collection please call on Gordon on 04210 31392 for an appointment.

Note: KEEPING THE CULTURE ALIVE/CREATING REAL ABORIGINAL JOBS & TRAINING- ABORIGINAL GUIDES ABORIGINAL CURATORS, ABORIGINAL ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE, ABORIGINAL SECURITY GUARDS, ABORIGINAL ARTISTS

ABORIGINAL WORKSHOPS & FILMS, THE ARTIST SPEAKS PARTNERSHIP WITH ABORIGINAL FOOD/CATERING ABORIGINAL DANCE & MUSIC IN CONCLUSION : THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH SALARY EQUALITY AND QUALITY OF WELL-BEING

WILL INSTILL PRIDE, HOPE AND RECOGNITION IN ABORIGINAL PEOPLE.

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