Aboriginal art works on display at the National Library |27 April 2005

The “Kiripuranji” Aboriginal Art Exhibition, which was officially launched on Monday by Gerard Oakes, second secretary to the Australian High Commissioner, is a way of promoting the works of Australia’s indigenous people and culture.

Among the work of art on display are paintings on paper and canvas, ceremonial objects such as spears as well as textiles.

While officially opening the exhibition Mr Oakes thanked the Seychelles Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture for hosting the exhibition.

He said it was a pleasure for the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade of the Government of Australia and the Edith Cowan University to bring the exhibition to Seychelles.

He said he hoped that Seychellois would gain further insight into and be more aware of the culture and art of the Tiwi islands people.

“The exhibition is also a way of further developing the relations which already exist between the two countries,” Mr Oakes added.

For his part Emmanuel D’Offay, managing director of the National Arts Council (Nac), thanked the Australian agencies “for bringing a new genre of art in our country.”

Present at the ceremony were – the Minister for Local Government, Sports and Culture, Sylvette Pool; the principal secretary for Sports and Culture, Patrick Nanty; officials from the Ministry of Education and Youth; past students of Australian universities as well as Seychellois artists

Before coming to Seychelles the art exhibition has been to East Timor, Kuala Lumpur, Stockholm, Rome, Tel Aviv and recently South Africa.

Members of the public have until Saturday, April 30, to view the exhibition.