Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative facts for kids
The Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative is a special art group. It was started in 1987 in Sydney, Australia. Ten talented Aboriginal artists created it. Their main goal was to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists share their amazing art with the world. Boomalli also helped create the Deadly Awards. These awards celebrated achievements in the Indigenous Australian community. They happened every year from 1995 to 2013. In 2007, Boomalli celebrated its 20th birthday. They had a big art show at the Art Gallery of NSW.
The artists who started Boomalli were Michael Riley, Avril Quaill, Tracey Moffatt, Fiona Foley, Brenda L Croft, Jeffrey Samuels, Euphemia Bostock, Fern Martins, Bronwyn Bancroft and Arone Meeks.
How Boomalli Began
Boomalli's story began with the National Black Theatre. This theatre was in Redfern during the 1970s. It was a time when Aboriginal culture and groups were becoming very proud.
In 1984, a new art style called "urban Aboriginal art" started getting attention. There was an exhibition in Woolloomooloo, Sydney. Another show followed in 1986. Some art critics did not like this new art. They even called it "a passing fad."
The ten artists who started Boomalli had different art styles. But they all wanted their art to be accepted by everyone. They have helped many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Their gallery is now in Leichhardt, Sydney. Their main aim is to support artists from Aboriginal language groups in New South Wales.
The word "boomalli" means "make a mark." It comes from at least three Aboriginal languages. These are Bandjalung, Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay and Wiradjuri.
Boomalli opened in 1987. Photographer Michael Riley and activist Gary Foley helped make it happen. Gary Foley was a director of the Aboriginal Arts Board. He helped get money from the Board. But it was not easy. They could not find a permanent home. The Co-operative gallery had to move four times. Government ministers did not answer their requests for help. The Australian Taxation Office said they owed a lot of money. With help from lawyers who worked for free, Boomalli solved their money problems. They also got legal rights to their current location.
By 2012, Boomalli was running very well. They had good money management and marketing. The local council in Leichhardt supports them. However, Boomalli has not received money or help from the state or federal government.
The Artists and Their Work
The urban Aboriginal art movement showed strong messages. These messages were about the history and treatment of Aboriginal Australians. They spoke about how Aboriginal people were treated in the 1980s.
In the 1990s, Aboriginal art became very popular. It was popular in Australia and overseas. The Co-operative built relationships with major art galleries. These were both in Australia and around the world.
Today, Boomalli actively supports 50 Aboriginal artists. Many of these are young artists just starting out. Many members have had long and successful careers.
The Co-operative holds art exhibitions every year. They also have small galleries at the front of their Leichhardt location. These allow individual artists to create their own small shows.
Boomalli also has a shop. You can buy Aboriginal artists' work there. You can visit the shop in person or find it online.
