Thancoupie Bursary Fund: Fundraising art auction

Thancoupie Bursary Fund: Fundraising art auction: Canopy Art Centre 18th – 27th May
 
A couple of months ago in Cairns an art event honoured one of the country's most pre-eminent ceramicists and arguably Australia's foremost Aboriginal artist, the late [and recognised Queensland Great] Dr Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher James AO, known fondly as 'Than' by most. In her will Thancoupie left behind an endowment fund, a trust of sorts to be utilised as a scholarship programme for young or emerging Aboriginal artists from the Western Cape, Cape York Peninsula (her home region). Since its inauguration the Thancoupie Bursary Fund has raised a sizable amount due to the assistance of the Queensland Government and countless benefactors as well as support from the Aboriginal Benefits Foundation. Events such as the recently held fundraising art auction have been crucial to the Bursary's sustainability and also presents a great and interactive way for the community and those who admired Thancoupie to contribute. This is the latest of a number of fundraising auctions held over the past few years, one at the Cairns Regional Gallery and another at KickArts Contemporary Arts.
 
While the Bursary has been growing, building its profile and advocating for Indigenous arts advancement in the Far North, artist Paul Bong became the first recipient of the bursary last year. The funds awarded to Paul- and all future recipients- goes towards supporting either their arts practice or arts education. In a time where public funding to the arts is restricted and restrictive, this initiative from the private sector, from the community, is a great step forward. Supporting artists, especially Indigenous artists, and advocating for arts education (aside from her arts practice) were some of Thancoupie's lifelong passions.
 
Held at the Canopy Art Centre in Cairns, the auction featured over 40 eclectic works of varying mediums and schools, including works by prominent Indigenous artists such as Dick Roughsey, Arone Meeks, Glen Mackie, Brian Robinson and Janet Fieldhouse– along with two very specially gifted works by Ray Crooke and Thancoupie herself! Other artists, as featured in order in the catalogue include: Paul Bong, Craig Hoy, Mollie Bosworth, Samuel Tupou, Teho Ropeyarn, Rick Beresford & Phil Johns, Kerry Trapnell, Ian Whittaker, Jill Symes, Geoff Crispin, Angus Nivison, Jenny Fraser, Roland NancarrowHeather Koowootha, Theo Tremblay, Zoe De Jersey, Daphne De Jersey, Marsha Hall, Pamela Griffith, Lynn Bates, Peter Thompson, Serena Kuring, Nina Dawson, Margaret Genever, Mark Cochrane and Joseph & Ian Skeen & Family.
 
While the definite figure of what was successfully raised at the auction has yet been officially announced by the Thancoupie Bursary Fund committee, from my estimations the figure is impressively into the early tens of thousands of dollars mark. To keep updated on any future announcements follow the Bursary's official Facebook page.
 
*Jack is the Tribal-Grandson of Thancoupie and is himself a contemporary artist & writer from Cape York & Far North Queensland.

 

Jack Wilkie-Jans 
Aboriginal Affairs Advocate
Artist & Artsworker
 
Dick Roughsey, 1972, The Emu and the Turkey, 47cm x 37cm, bark painting
Dick Roughsey, The Emu and the Turkey, 1972, 47cm x 37cm, bark painting
 
Heather Koowootha, 2016, 'Kubarra Fire Storm' (etching)
Heather Koowootha, Kubarra Fire Storm, 2016, (etching)
 
Ian Whittaker, Fiat, 2015, ceramic
Ian Whittaker, Fiat, 2015, ceramic
 
Jill Symes, 1996, Coral Vessel, ceramic
Jill Symes, Coral Vessel, 1996, ceramic
Left,Rick Beresford&Phil Johns,2015, Kunangurra,digitalprint on board,Right, JennyFraser, Where'sMurri, 2016,digitial printoncanvas
 
(Left) Rick Beresford and Phil Johns, Kunangurra, 2015, 90cm x 61cm digital print on board, (Right) Jenny Fraser, Where's Murri, 2016, 76cm x 51cm, digitial print on canvas
 
 
Margaret Genever, 'Disparate Supper Dance', 2011, 26x37cm archival pigment print
Margaret Genever, Disparate Supper Dance, 2011, 26 x 37cm, archival pigment print
Ray Crooke, c.1986, Sandstone Outcrop Cape York, 52cm x 39cm, screen print (2)
Ray Crooke, Sandstone Outcrop Cape York, c.1986, 52cm x 39cm, screen print
 
Roland Nancarrow, 2015, Licuala Deluxe, 3D sculpture
Roland Nancarrow, Licuala Deluxe, 2015, 3D sculpture
 
Thancoupie, c.1985, Beug crab, Negwerre bandicoot, Guiree flying fox and fish, 23cm diameter
Thancoupie, Beug crab, Negwerre bandicoot, Guiree flying fox and fish, c.1985, 23cm diameter
 

3 shows to see this weekend

There are a few must see shows this weekend, enjoy…

1. The Subtleties of Form: 8th July – 24th July 2012 

This exhibition has some beautiful works from Pippa Makgill, Simon Gardam and Kimberly Denson. The images below are only some of what you will see in this exhibition, venture into town and see these talented artists’ works in person.  
Pippa Makgill

Simon Gardam

Kimberly Denson

Gallery ONE THREE
13 Somerset Place
Melbourne
www.galleryonethree.net
 

2. Innovators 230th June – 29th July 2012 

Very exciting works by Bonnie Lane, Henriette Kassay Schuster, Hermoine MerryMaryanne Coutts, Kat Clarke, Lachlan Petras and  Christopher Jones.  Below is just some of the works from the show.
Maryanne Coutts

Henriette Kassay Schuster and Hermoine Merry

 
26 Acland Street,
St Kilda
http://www.lindenarts.org
 
 
3. Finding a Voice: 28th June – 11th August 2012 
A new video by Nina Ross an exciting emerging Artist.
Screen Space
30 Guildford Lane,
Melbourne
 
Image via Screen Space