Pinjarra Massacre Memorial is the gallery’s first touring exhibition

The Collie Art Gallery’s first touring exhibition is set to feature the work of acclaimed Indigenous artists exploring a significant event in the history of Western Australia.

The Pinjarra Massacre Memorial exhibition shows how the arts can break boundaries and a small town’s history can reach a large audience.

Through research over many years, extensive information has been accumulated about the massacre of the Bindjareb Nyungars at the hands of a group led by Governor James Stirling in October 1834 in the small WA town of Pinjarra.

This exhibition invited artists to visually interpret the event or Nyungar life before or after. Research has uncovered 21 victims by name and each artist adopted one or more of these names, giving each of the 21 artworks special significance. The artwork that each artist has produced stands as a monument to honour that person.

The high calibre of artists involved in this exhibition, including Athol Farmer, Gloria Kearing, Tjyllyungoo Lance Chadd and many others, makes it significant on a national level.

Pinjarra Katijin Chair Karrie-Anne Kearing said she hoped the exhibition would encourage people to explore their own stories.

“This wasn’t the only massacre in WA. We offer this story as a symbol to people whose massacres were not recorded,” said Ms Kearing.

The exhibition’s opening night is Friday, 8 May 2015, and it will be on display until 7 June 2015. The gallery is open 11am-5pm, Thursday to Monday. Entry is free of charge.

Pinjarra Massacre Memorial Project is proudly presented by Pinjarra Katijin. 

The exhibition is supported by Australia Council through the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Arts Board and Community Partnerships.

The tour of this exhibition is managed by ART ON THE MOVE.

This exhibition has been assisted by ART ON THE MOVE through its Exhibition Touring Program.

ART ON THE MOVE is supported by the State Government through Department of Culture and the Arts.

ART ON THE MOVE is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.