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Kickin' up dust - Australian Contemporary Indigenous Cultural Festivals

Mandawuy Yunipingu at the launch of the Kickin' Up Dust photographic exhibition. The exhibition was launched in the atrium of the department's Canberra headquarters and will tour a number of overseas missions over the next three years.

Mandawuy Yunipingu at the launch of the Kickin' Up Dust photographic exhibition. The exhibition was launched in the atrium of the department's Canberra headquarters and will tour a number of overseas missions until June 2006.

Engage your senses with the sights of Indigenous Australia in this stunning exhibition. Taken at four Festivals in different regions of Australia, the photographs capture the spontaneous joy of performers, the revival of traditional crafts and the continuing celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Launch Of Kickin’ Up Dust Photo Exhibition

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched its latest travelling exhibition, Kickin’ Up Dust, in Canberra on 7 July 2003 before the exhibition headed overseas on a three-year tour. 

The exhibition features 40 striking photographs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural festivals held across Australia between August 2002 and February 2003.

Four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander festivals were chosen to showcase the richness and diversity of Australia’s Indigenous peoples: the Garma Festival in north-east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory; the Torres Strait Cultural Festival, Thursday Island, Queensland; Stompem Ground in Broome, Western Australia; and the larapuna Festival in Tasmania . 

The department observed indigenous protocols closely in developing the exhibition.  Appropriate permissions were obtained to reproduce images and information and respect for cultural and intellectual property was central to working relationships with Indigenous communities and organisations.

The exhibition’s world tour started in Seoul in August 2003. Kickin’ Up Dust continues the department’s proud record of promoting a positive contemporary image of Australia’s Indigenous peoples and cultures overseas. There is strong interest internationally in Australia’s Aboriginal people but less is known about the Torres Strait Islander peoples. This exhibition aims to raise the profile of both groups.

The exhibition was initiated by the department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program, located within the Images of the Australia Branch.  Two Canberra-based companies joined forces to develop and deliver the exhibition.  They provided project management and curatorial expertise but most importantly, specialist Indigenous services which were invaluable in assembling this exhibition.

Launch Of Kickin' Up Dust Photo Exhibition, media release, 4 July 2003

‘Kickin’up Dust’, Contemporary Festivals of Indigenous Australia. Address by the Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr Ashton Calvert  to launch ‘Kickin’up dust’Photographic Exhibition, 7 July 2003