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Only Black Hands On Black Art

from Beaches COVERED. Issue 33 - Winter: Age

from Beaches COVERED. Issue 33 - Winter: Age, page 117

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In the wake of a recent exposé about high profile interferences with Indigenous art, Harvey Galleries is proud to team up with Yanda Aboriginal Art to present the stunning work of sisters, Tjungkara Ken and Yaritji Young. Beaches COVERED. caught up with passionate Galleries Founder, Trevor Harvey, to talk about the importance of Indigenous art and why ‘only black hands on black art’ matters.

Over the course of nearly three decades, Harvey Galleries in Balgowlah has been at the forefront of promoting Australian and International artists. This Winter, they are honoured to join hands with Yanda Aboriginal Art, who are based in Alice Springs, to celebrate a remarkable milestone – 25 years of dedicated commitment to showcasing ethically acquired and authentic Indigenous art.

“Twenty ﬁve years ago in my own search for the very best in Indigenous art, I visited Yanda. What I found there was immediately impressive,” recalls Harvey Galleries Owner, Trevor Harvey.

“As I got to know the Owner, Chris Simon, I understood his interactions to Indigenous people was one of tremendous respect and understanding.”

It didn’t take long for Trevor to discover why Yanda was producing such special and esteemed works of art.

“The artists were very happy,” he says. “I watched them interacting with Chris, and I could see they loved working

with him. They had a good business relationship and all the terms they were able to negotiate, directly, were good. They were being looked after and respected.”

Chris has a large property outside Alice Springs where artists are able to stay for as long as they need to complete their work.

“I try to buy the best,” explains Trevor, “And the best is where artists are working with the best materials in the best environment so they are happy and create their best work.”

TAKING CARE OF INDIGENOUS ARTISTS

Kicking off on Friday, June 23, and running until July 11, Harvey Galleries presents an unforgettable exhibition by sisters, Tjungkara Ken and Yaritji Young.

This exhibition is even more important after respected authorities on Indigenous art recently claimed white staff, at one major art centre, were seen to be interfering with Aboriginal artists’ paintings and the representation of their sacred Tjukurrpa.

“It’s disappointing,” says Trevor. “We’ve been hearing stories in conversations for a number of years, so for it to be conﬁrmed as true doesn’t come as a complete surprise, but it’s still a shock.”

Trevor is passionate about supporting Indigenous art, recognising its cultural signiﬁcance and promoting its rightful place in the artistic landscape.

“We do whatever we can do to support those who are doing the right thing and support the artists and their families. It’s important to us that the artists are respected and the integrity of the work has to come ﬁrst. That’s why this is such an important exhibition.”

For acclaimed artists such as the Ken sisters, the chance to exhibit and share their culture is a proud one.

“I want to keep supporting that and sharing this beautiful work that is both genuine and true,” afﬁrms Trevor.

Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the extraordinary artworks from these wonderful Indigenous artists. Pop June 23 - July 11 in your diary, and we’ll see you there.

‘Sisters’ Exhibition 2023

23 June to 11 July 2023