Beside Balawan

Works by participants in the 2016 Environment Studio Balawan Elective Reception: 11 August 2016 6:00pm Duration: Friday, August 12, 2016 - 10:30 - Saturday, August 20, 2016 - 17:00 Location: School of Art Foyer Gallery To be opened by Mr John Blay The Bundian Way is an ancient shared history pathway used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years, connecting the highest parts of the Australian continent with the far south coast of New South Wales. The Balawan Elective is a School of Art Environment Studio course conducted largely in the field at sites along the Bundian Way, and beside Balawan (Mt Imlay) near Eden, NSW. Now in it’s second year, the course continues to provide a rich opportunity for the exchange of knowledge between local communities and ANU School of Art students and staff. An outstanding aspect of this course is that students gain cultural awareness and learn regional history through first hand experiences on country, hosted by Aboriginal communities and informed individuals. This exhibition showcases works by students enrolled in the Semester 1 Elective, alongside works by Aboriginal painter Natalie Bateman, who spent time with students in the field. South coast writer and journeyman John Blay has written a compelling book about the Bundian Way entitled On track: searching out the Bundian Way. Mr Blay is a generous interpreter of the area around Eden for the Balawan Elective students and will open the exhibition.