Superpowered on Tour heading to Rockhampton Museum of Art

Published on 21 March 2023

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Superpowered on Tour lands at Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) in the Easter school holidays, providing local children with a range of fun and engaging activities created by some of Australia’s leading Indigenous artists.

Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinyji/Kuku Yalanji peoples), Gordon Hookey (Waanyi people), Vincent Namatjira (Western Aranda people) and Kaylene Whiskey (Yankunytjatjara people) use their voice and their art to empower Aboriginal people and create inspirational imagery for all children.

In collaboration with Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), the artists have created interactive activities for children aged 4+ that focus on strong empowering messages and humour. Young audiences are invited into a world full of amusing and courageous characters.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said that Superpowered on Tour is part of QAGOMA’s annual Kids on Tour program, which provides activities such as this free of charge to more than 180 galleries, libraries and schools across remote and regional Queensland.

“Since 1998, QAGOMA has collaborated with more than 300 Australian and international contemporary artists and the Gallery’s Children’s Art Centre is a leader in developing interactive projects, activities and publications that engage children with contemporary cultures, artists and ideas,” he said.

Rockhampton Regional Council Communities and Heritage Portfolio spokesperson Cr Drew Wickerson encouraged local parents and carers to bring their children to RMOA in the Easter school holidays.

“QAGOMA’s annual Kids on Tour program is a much anticipated event in Rockhampton Region. The activities are a great opportunity for parents to involve their children in art in a very hands-on way,” he said.

“This is a great parent/child activity. It’s aimed at 4 years and above but it’s fun for all ages. It’s wonderful to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when they are immersed in their activities,” he said.

Superpowered on Tour will be open daily from Saturday 25 March to Sunday 16 April  9.30am to 12.30pm at Rockhampton Museum of Art. (Please note Rockhampton Museum of Art will be closed on 7 April for Good Friday).

Admission is free. Parent / carer supervision is required at all times.

Recommended ages: 4+

Bookings not required.

More information: https://www.rmoa.com.au/Whats-On/School-Holiday-Activities-QAGOMAs-Superpowered-on-Tour

Rockhampton Museum of Art is owned and operated by Rockhampton Regional Council.

 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Tony Albert often works closely with other artists, communities and organisations. He believes that one of the best ways to learn from and connect with people is to live and work together. Albert’s activity for ‘Superpowered on Tour’ is Warakurna Warriors. It invites children to create their own superhero identity and they can design their own costume using a template and trace a selection of outfits adding details and colour. This activity was inspired by Albert’s photographic series Warakurna Superheroes 2017, made in collaboration with children from Warakurna in Western Australia.Gordon Hookey’s artworks are inspired by Australian history and everyday life, often using native Australian animals to represent Indigenous Australians. Hookey’s interactive for ‘Superpowered on Tour’ is Make a Roo, and it invites children to choose from a number of kangaroo mask templates. Children can customise their own design, wear the mask and ‘hop into character’.

Artist Vincent Namatjira paints lively, expressive portraits of historical figures, international heads of state, and public figures. His activity, Power Portraits, invites children to adopt ‘power icons’ such as crowns and hats in the form of paper props and pose for a photograph in front of a fun paper backdrop.

Kaylene Whiskey’s colourful, humorous paintings celebrate strong kungkas (women). Whiskey often paints images of herself and her heroes – pop culture icons such as Dolly Parton and Wonder Woman – having fun in her remote community or engaging in traditional activities like collecting bush tucker. In ‘Superpowered on Tour’ Whiskey invites children to draw a Super Party picture, a scene featuring their own heroes using coloured pencils and cut out pictures from a collage sheet.

IMAGE: Visitors at Kaylene Whiskey’s Super Party 2022 in ‘Superpowered’, Children’s Art Centre, Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2022 / © Kaylene Whiskey / Photograph: Katie Bennett © QAGOMA