APY Gallery Melbourne to launch in Docklands

Following the success of the APY Galleries in Sydney and Adelaide, APY Art Centre Collective (APYACC) is opening a First Nations artist-owned gallery in Docklands.

The new gallery will provide an opportunity for talented First Nations of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, Coober Pedy and Adelaide who are in the early stages of their careers to share their innovative work.

As well as making a contribution to the thriving art and culture sector of Melbourne, the APY Gallery team hopes to see an increase in jobs and income in its own community.

“Economic empowerment is what we talk about; we are determined to leave our young people with a better future,” director APYACC Nyunmiti Burton said.

“Our art making has always been culturally powerful, and we are proud that we have a business that matches our paintings in power and strength.”

In celebration of the APY Gallery in Melbourne opening, APYACC is hosting a public launch on Thursday, June 30 from 6pm, which runs in the lead up to NAIDOC Week from July 3 to July 10.

Community elders, directors of art centres and artists from the APY Lands will also be in attendance, alongside supporters such as Lendlease who have helped with bringing the initiative to life.

The importance of this event and new opening is not lost on APYACC, with Burton stating they were “thrilled” to be opening in Melbourne.

“It feels like a new chapter in the history of our country. A time of opportunity where Aboriginal people can thrive in business endeavours too,” she said.

Through opening to the public, general manager at APYACC Skye O’Meara said art lovers of Melbourne would also be provided with a unique opportunity to engage with the artists and go home with the knowledge that the affordable work was “ethically sourced”.

“They are supporting the sustainability of art and cultural practice on the APY Lands,” she said.

APYACC involves a group of 11 Indigenous-owned and governed social enterprises located on the APY Lands in regional South Australia and Adelaide.

Members of the organisation also unite on a vision to increase capacity for South Australian Art Centres and for their work to be supported in remote and regional communities.

Three areas in which they go about actioning this vision is by creating and exploring new markets, increasing art centre income and supporting business development, and driving innovative collaborative regional artistic projects and international activity.

The new APY Gallery Melbourne can be found at 34 Tom Thumb Lane in Docklands.

For more information: apygallery.com and apyartcentrecollective.com