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Banjo

Artist Fiona Foley (Indigenous Australian, born 1964)

Date1991

Object number00018146

NameCollage

MediumMixed media, paper

DimensionsOverall: 738 × 948 × 2.9 mm, 4.7 kg
Display dimensions: 560 × 757 mm
Mount / Matt size (F Fini Mount): 810 × 1010 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA work by Fiona Foley titled 'Banjo.' Fiona is an Badjala artist from Thoorgine (Fraser Island) on the east coast of mainland Australia. History'Banjo' is an early work by Fiona Foley and was originally part of an exhibition called 'The Concept of Country' held in 1991. The exhibition was the result of a two-month workshop at Maningrida in Arnhem Land involving three artists from different Aboriginal lands who worked together at Maningrida from March to April. "'Concept of Country' arose from a proposal to the Gallery from three artists - an urban Indigenous artist, Fiona Foley, and two young traditional sculptors from Maningrida, Terry Gandadila and Dale Yowingbala.The project represented one of the first occasions where an exchange of ideas and techniques had occurred between traditional and contemporary artists and provided an opportunity to stimulate further development by bringing the work to Sydney and specifically an art school campus. This challenging project involved a two month workshop during March-April in Maningrida, Northern Territory where the artists exchanged their different knowledge of the art of sculpture, drawing and environmental installation, plus an understanding of the irrespective heritages and countries. 'The Concept of Country' celebrated the vitality and significance of Aboriginal culture through the creativity and committment of young artists and seeks to create a more informed and vital future for all by questioning and reconciling the varied ideas which are included in the concept of being Australian." -Ivan Dougherty Gallery, 1991 Fiona Foley is from Thoorgine (Fraser Island) on the east coast of mainland Australia and spending time at Maningrida provided a new ranges of symbols which Foley used in her drawings. Her works from this time are executed in pastels. They are what she calls event orientated, meaning they are a place where she has been or an event she has seen. 'Banjo' illustrates a place Foley has visited. It is a mixture of her own land of the Badjala people and the land at Maningrida .SignificanceThis work by Fiona Foley celebrates the vitality and significance of Indigenous culture through the creativity and commitment of young artists and seeks to create a more informed and vital future for all by questioning and reconciling the varied ideas which are included in the concept of being Australian.