July 4, 2022
Powerhouse is marking NAIDOC Week 2022 (3–10 July) with a week of events celebrating this year’s theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ The centerpiece will be a First Nations Fashion and Design curated Powerhouse Late from 5–9pm on Thursday 7 July. Blakout! will be night of fashion, music and dance spotlighting the incredible talent of First Nations creatives, fashion artists, designers and models.
The evening will commence with a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and Yidaki Healing Workshop with Uncle Brendan Kerin. A Blak and Deadly Walk Off judged by Shari Sebbens and hosted by Ian RT Colless will feature Josie Baker, Bee Cruse, Luke Currie-Richardson and Perry Mooney, against a backdrop of artworks by Shaun Daniel Allen. Cover Girl: In Conversation will feature First Nation Fashion and Design’s Grace Lillian Lee and Teagan Cowlishaw leading a discussion highlighting fashion’s power to generate positive social change with the iconic cover model Elaine George.
First Nation Fashion and Design 2021/22 runway screenings will be accompanied by an interactive discussion with Perry Mooney and Coby Edgar, while Lomas Amini will lead a panel discussion with Luke Currie-Richardson, Jake Gordon and Jarron Andy on the male First Nations fashion experience. Butchulla Hip Hop artist Birdz will headline the night’s music acts, alongside a live set from Yuin rapper, producer and radio host DJ Nookie, complemented by a First Nations playlist throughout the night curated by Dobby. A pop-up bar will serve drinks by Sobah and Green Ant Gin.
As part of Powerhouse’s 100 Climate Conversations series, Yirrganydji man Gavin Singleton will appear in conversation with Warlpiri woman Rachel Hocking to discuss the Dawul Wuru Great Barrier Reef Rangers on Friday 8 July. They will discuss the significant stress facing the sea country of the Great Barrier Reef due to climate change through warming oceans, ocean acidification and plagues of crown of thorns starfish. The Dawul Wuru Reef Rangers apply traditional knowledge to monitor and care for this most precious ecosystem and all of its inhabitants. Singleton is a traditional owner from Queensland’s Cairns-Port Douglas coastal region and passionate cultural, environmental and community development practitioner.
– ENDS –
MEDIA CONTACTS
Georgia McKay | Powerhouse
georgia.mckay@maas.museum | 0466 223 293
Cara Lopez | Powerhouse
cara.lopez@maas.museum | 0438 147 097