Image: Sylvia Blanco and dancers in Community – AIDT Dancer/Teacher conducts a dance class on Mornington Island – Gunno Amanda 1978 – photograph by Juno Gemes.
From 27 June to 20 July 2016, the main foyer of The Art House at Wyong will be transformed into a photographic exhibition, celebrating NAISDA and it’s vibrant history. EVIDENCE pays tribute to the visual history, vision and immense talent which has characterised NAISDA since its beginnings in inner Sydney in the early 1970s.
Below is a message from the photographer and cultural commentator behind the body of work, Juno Gremes.
As a young Movement Photographer and a child dancer, I (Juno Gemes) was privileged to work with NAISDA teachers and dancers. I photographed Sydney dance classes, Culture Teacher’s visits and final year productions.
I was so fortunate to go on tour to Gunna Amanda-Mornington Island in 1979 as photographer both for NAISDA and WOOMERA Mornington Island Dancers. On tour we were taught by Cultural Leaders and Knowledge holders while observing Traditional Dance and Song cycles of Lardil peoples in Ceremony.
In exchange, NAISDA dancers/teachers introduced gifted young Lardil dancers to contemporary dance classes in the community, unfolding to them the contemporary world of dance. NAISDA dancers and teachers offered young dancers an innovative future in dance while respectfully incorporating their cultural knowledge into their dance practice. The two-way learning and joy of this experience for us on tour, living and learning in community, becomes part of you forever.
Here at NAISDA’s state of the art new home on Darkinjung Lands, Australia’s Premier Indigenous Dance College celebrated its living history. In these photographs we remember and honour a small ensemble of the brilliant, dedicated teachers, dancers, knowledge holders and collaborators who created new art forms and new pathways, setting standards of excellence in dance and imagery within Australian Culture – now recognised and celebrated around the world.
Many thanks to NAISDA for bringing my work full circle – back to you within our NAISDA family.
Onwards!
Juno Gemes
Photographer/culture communicator
As NAISDA celebrates 40 years, we are delighted to be able to present our NAIDOC program, including this exhibition. EVIDENCE, and the performances of WIRAYI (NOW) at The Art House for schools and the Central Coast community. This has only been made possible with support from the Australian Government, the New South Wales Government, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Central Coast Council.
NAISDA proudly acknowledges that we are situated on land of the Darkinjung people, and we pay our respect to elders past and present as well as our promise to honour the land on which we tread.