Roomies @ The House

Thursday 5 February 2009

Acknowledgement of Country

Other acknowledgements:

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all here to Parliament House for the Roomies Artspace Exhibition.

This space in parliament house is given over to groups of artists from around NSW.

The diversity of the art that is shown on these walls every year strongly reflects the diversity, passion and talent of our community.

Today we are here to celebrate the extraordinary work of 18 talented artists from the Roomies Artspace.

For the first time, work by the Roomies' artists will be shown alongside their mentors.

Over one hundred artworks are on display including drawings, paintings, prints, ceramics and textiles.

The works are as diverse as the artists.

There are Mark Hood's colourful and compelling representational paintings.

There is David Hanson and Clarrice Collien's fibre works that have simplicity and dexterity that is very beautiful.

There are Tony Cammilleri's scary pink monsters.

And Violet Minnet's and John Goldsmith's exploration across a number of mediums.

Each of the works are thoughtful expressions of the individual artist and the world they find themselves in.

I first became aware of the Roomies when I was a councillor at Marrickville Council.

Newtown Neighbourhood Centre works with the residents who live in and around Newtown in the many boarding houses.

The volunteer artists and community members that support this program have helped to develop a welcoming and safe place for people come and experience art. I know that they have also had many laughs and some tears on the way through.

This exhibition brings this art and work to a very wide audience not just of decision makers and those that work here, but also the school groups, interstate and international visitors that come to visit this countries oldest parliament.

Congratulations to all of you who have made this exhibition possible. I am pleased to open the Roomies exhibition and wish you well for many many more in the future.

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