A joint arts project with local Darwin artist Aly de Groot and Groote Eylandt artists Annabel Amagula and Maicie Lalara that creatively addresses the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans has been selected to participate in the 2019 Asialink Arts Creative Exchange program.

Director of Arts NT, Angela Hill, said that partnering with Asialink has increased showcasing and professional development opportunities for Territory artists and arts professionals at an international level and strengthens the Territory’s arts engagement with Asia.

“In addition to the joint arts project local Katherine based writer/producer Courtney Collins has also been selected for the 2019 Asialink Arts Creative Exchange program where she will undertake an exchange at the Himachal Pradesh University in India,” Ms Hill said.  

“The Northern Territory Government has partnered in the Asialink Residency Program since 2000 and over the past 19 years, we have provided funding to support a total of 35 Territory arts residencies in Asia.”

This year’s NT creative exchange residencies include:

Aly de Groot, Annabel Amagula and Maicie Lalara, Komunitas Salihara, Indonesia

Aly de Groot, Annabel Amagula and Maicie Lalara have been working together on Groote Eylandt since 2015, weaving with marine debris that washes up on their beaches from Indonesia and all over the world. As artists in residence at Komunitas Salihara, an arts centre located in South Jakarta, the three will creatively address the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans through their weaving project, workshops and exhibitions. This project will continue the long history of exchange between Anindilyakwa and Indonesian people.

Courtney Collins, Centre for Australian and New Zealand Studies, Himachal Pradesh University, India

Courtney Collins is a writer/producer living in the remote Indigenous community of Ngukurr and Katherine. Her first novel, The Burial, was shortlisted for numerous prizes including the NSW Premier’s Award and The Stella Prize. Published in 10 countries, it is being adapted as a feature film. In 2017, Courtney started Ngukurr Story Project supporting local Indigenous people to tell the stories they want to tell in the language they want to tell it in. Recently, she has written a web series set in Tibet and the NT. Her second novel is due to be published in 2020.

Asialink Arts has awarded global creative exchange opportunities to 23 individual artists and arts professionals in 2019, including 22 Australian artists to Asia and one Asian-based artist who will be coming to Australia through a targeted exchange program.  

Each recipient has been linked with one of over 40 global collaborators working with Asialink Arts; ranging from publishing houses, private galleries, theatres, universities and dedicated arts residency spaces.

In 2018 the Northern Territory Government supported three Territorians to participate in the 2018 Asialink Arts Exchange including Amee Porter to undertake a residency at No.1 Shanti Road Studio Gallery in Bangalore, India, Naina Sen to undertake a residency at the Sanskriti Foundation in New Delhi, India and Louise Partos to undertake an arts management residency at Singapore’s national arts centre, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

Asialink is Australia's national organisation promoting cultural understanding, information exchange and artistic endeavour between Australia and Asia.

The Northern Territory Government through Arts NT provides funding support of $30 000 per year under the 2017-19 triennial agreement. For more information on Arts NT funding visit https://nt.gov.au/leisure/arts-culture-heritage/arts-funding-and-grants

Media contacts:

Asialink Arts Director: Pippa Dickson 03 8344 9860      
Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture Media Manager: 0476 844 832

Images:
Aly de Groot, Annabel Amagula and Maicie Lalara
Courtney Collins