Aboriginal art gallery goes from strength to strength

Aboriginal art gallery goes from strength to strength

Boomalli Aboriginal Art gallery co-operative, based in Leichhardt, has bounced back from challenges that threatened its very existence, with new vigour and a confident eye on the next generation. From the brink of insolvency two years ago, to a flourishing hub of Aboriginal artistry, Boomalli is bringing the work of both emerging and “elder” artists to a wider audience.

Formed as a wholly Aboriginal operated initiative in 1987, Boomalli celebrates its 25th anniversary next year. As founding member Bronwyn Bancroft notes, “Twenty-five years of Aboriginal history is a fantastic achievement. We couldn’t afford to let it disappear. It’s an emblem for the future, what it can do for young artists.”

In keeping with its founding principles, the current exhibition, “A Show Of Strength”, showcases the work of Aboriginal artists across the State. It illustrates the breadth of artists supported by Boomalli, from those who have never been in an exhibition before, to quite a few elders. “What we want is not to target a particular demographic, but to represent the full spectrum,” says Bancroft.

In 2009, the Co-operative was facing insolvency and owed a hefty tax debt. Bancroft attributes this to being an all-volunteer organisation, where members don’t necessarily come equipped with knowledge of, for example, the intricacies of tax law: “There was a need for mentoring”.

The Gallery lost its government funding, and came within a hair’s-breadth of eviction from its premises at 55-57 Flood St. After being instructed to vacate the building by Peter Garrett’s Department of Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), the co-op combed its records, and found that the building in fact belonged to the Indigenous Land Corporation. The Gallery now hopes to negotiate a transfer of the building within a matter of weeks.

With a new Board, pro-bono expertise from the Arts Law Centre, fundraisers and plenty of volunteer elbow-grease, Boomalli has navigated its way out of the “labyrinth”, as Bancroft puts it. “It shows people, never, never, never give up”.

In early 2010, the Gallery announced its fight for survival with a fundraising show called “Black or White, It’s Just Not Right”, where artists including Mikala Dwyer, Destiny Deacon, and Sally Morgan donated works.  This was followed up with a benefit party hosted by SPUNK magazine.

Now, Boomalli has submitted its exhibition plans with evidence of its ongoing viability and is hopeful of winning government funding. Says Bancroft, “I’m incredibly optimistic, because the work’s been done…This is a fundamental moment. I’m ready to let the young artists take over!”

Launching on February 18 is Boomalli’s show for the Mardi Gras Arts Festival.

Take a look at 55-57 Flood St, Leichhardt. www.boomalli.com.au

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