Pitcha Makin Fellas : blackface (realface): Indigenous faces of Ballarat

29 Jun - 23 Jul 2016

Opened by Tom Mosby, CEO, Koori Heritage Trust, Melbourne, on Tue 5 July 2016.

Myles Walsh, Ted Laxton, Adrian Rigney, Joe Lee, Thomas Marks and Peter-Shane Rotumah, known as the Pitcha Makin Fellas, have worked on diverse projects from local schoolhouses, to the Koorie Heritage Trust and to Bunjilaka at the Melbourne Museum.

Recently presenting a major work for 'White Night', collaborating with the Portuguese creative studio OCUBO, the artists created a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Indigenous storytelling, projected onto the face of the Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne.

Meeting for the first time in 2013, the group started collaborating on paintings, gradually building relationships with each other and developing a unique style of working.

The Pitcha Makin Fellas make art that tells stories through bright patterns inspired by the environment, Aboriginal history and historical south-eastern Australian mark making, whilst ensuring the strength and pride of their culture is maintained. Humour is an important part of the work they do and inspires how it is made.

With many impressive achievements, including solo exhibitions, their work has been collected by private and public institutions including the National Gallery of Victoria.

Keen to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians, for the Pitcha Makin Fellas, the new exhibition at FedUni's Post Office Gallery, is an opportunity to recognise people from their community and the contributions they make to our country and our society.

Image: Pitcha Makin Fellas, 2016