Blak arts event flips ‘day of mourning’ on its head

As soon as marked by Aboriginal individuals as a day of mourning, Australia Day might be become a celebration of Indigenous cultural excellence at an iconic Sydney museum.

We Are Warriors – an advocacy group for Indigenous artists based by the rapper Nooky – are reclaiming the controversial vacation, lengthy related to the nation’s colonial historical past, within the Blak Powerhouse occasion.

The competition attracted 3000 attendees for its first version on Australia Day in 2023 and it returns a 12 months later to the Powerhouse Museum in inner-city Ultimo.

Yuin and Thunghutti man Nooky stated the “energy and resilience” demonstrated on the occasion modified how he felt in regards to the January 26 date, which was famously marked by a bunch of Aboriginal campaigners in 1938 because the Day of Mourning.

He’ll carry out together with his supergroup 3%, which incorporates fellow Indigenous rappers Dallas Woods and Angus Fields.

Different performers embrace Becca Hatch and JK-47, who options within the documentary By way of the Fireplace, which is able to display on the occasion.

Blak Powerhouse can also be presenting works from photographer Michael Prepare dinner and visible artists Shal and Tjukurpamaru, in addition to a panel on Indigenous participation in arts and tradition in Australia.

“I am very obsessed with elevating their profile … music artist, visible artist, dancers, curators, you title it,” Nooky instructed AAP.

We Are Warriors was based on January 26, 2022 and is predicated only a few blocks from the Powerhouse Museum.

The group organised the primary Blak Powerhouse the next 12 months.

“It actually blew me away and I do know individuals who had been in attendance felt the identical,” Nooky stated.

Powerhouse chief government Lisa Havilah stated she was proud to assist the occasion and supposed to proceed internet hosting We Are Warriors yearly on Australia Day.

“Nooky’s taking a really contested day and making it a really empowering day filled with positivity,” she stated.

The occasion begins at 5pm on Friday at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum.