Go to http://sandon-point.org.au/art-auction to make your donation.
or make donations
through any Commonwealth Bank branch into the
Kuradji Sandon Point Foundation Account:
2607 1008 7930.
2 September
Sandon Point Community Picket
Sandon Point Art Sale raises Dollars for Court Case
Paintings and prints by major artists and amateurs quickly sold this weekend at the Mori Gallery fundraiser for Sandon Point Court case.
“A Garry Shead was snapped up for several thousand. Sam Juparulla Wickman’s dot paintings saw great interest. A Reg Mombassa print was sold before I even saw it! And all this was before the auction!,” said one of the organizers, Kate Morris.
The Mori Gallery Save Sandon Point Art Sale and Auction saw almost $20,000 raised on the weekend to support Jill Walker’s court challenge of Planning Minister Sartor in his approval of theStockland-ARV Trust Sandon Point concept plan. It was a great atmosphere with hundreds of long time Sandon activists, NIRAG, SPATE members, picketers and supporters coming together to celebrate and to renew their campaign.
“It was a truly magnificent team and community effort over a number of weeks,” said one supporter.” Inspiring, uplifting, passionate, intelligent, with respect and honour always shown to Aboriginal people, the owners of the land we are attempting to protect from violation, and standing up for shared cherished values.”
Hundreds of art works from Illawarra and Sydney and interstate artists featured. “We are happy to support this cause,” said local artist and gallery owner, Toni Marshall, one of many who generously donated works to the cause. “Sandon Point and Thirroul has long been an inspiration to artists and writers alike, including Garry Shead, Paul Ryan, and D H Lawrence.”
Beautiful photos, watercolours and oils of Sandon Point, a quilt depicting Sandon Point, a photo collage of the 1,819 days of the picket, a montage of wavelets and haiku and photos, prints and paintings of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) were just some of the works inspired by the beauty and spirit and deeper meaning of this much loved area. "The works were proof of our deep connection to natural open space," said artist and activist, Cate Wilson.
Roy “Dootch” Kennedy welcomed all on behalf of the traditional custodians of the land. Green's Senator Sylvia Hale opened the exhibition with topical commentary on how governments are whittling away the rights of citizens. Josie Walker, from the Environmental Defender’s Office supporting the court challenge, and Dr. Joseph Davis gave brief speeches, followed by an ode and song to Sandon Point.
Georgia Phillips, one of the organizers, said, “Community members have put in hundreds of submissions, signed petitions and letters, manned a 24/7 picket for five years, rebuilt an Aboriginal tent embassy (SPATE) after it was firebombed, stopped bulldozers and were arrested, planted thousands of trees for bush regeneration funded by the Environmental Trust , made videos, organized studies, sent delegations to state and federal Parliament, and still the Labor politicians have not listened.”
A portrait of politician David Campbell titled "Happy Birthday David - 50 years on Aboriginal land" - was described by Jill Walker as a wake up call for the Labor government. “This court case is about making the people’s voice heard at last.”
The exhibition, which includes a movie and timeline on the twenty year history of the Sandon Campaign, continues all week at the Mori Gallery, 168 Day St, Sydney, where works are still on sale. Donations can also be made online at http://sandon-point.org.au or through any Commonwealth Bank branch into the
Kuradji Sandon Point Foundation Account:
2607 1008 7930.
Photos of the Art Auction at http://www.edit.com.au/auction/index.htm
Contact: Kate 0423341781 0415111631
Mori Gallery (02) 92832903
………….Georgia Phillips 42942966, 0419423570
