The Oorala Aboriginal Centre has been transformed with a richness of colour by the collection of paintings, works on paper, weavings and sculptures by local and regional artists.

Work by artists Lloyd Hornsby, Larissa Ahoy and Nick Levy to name a few, are all on display in the exhibition.

Dolly Jerome’s weavings are a combination of art, culture and natural resource management and, as an added feature, she is offering weaving workshops at the Oorala 30 Open Day on Tuesday, 31 October.

The ancient art of weaving has been used as an indigenous method to create baskets and fishing nets for a long time.

Also included in the exhibition are highlights from the UNE Art Collection, including bark paintings by respected Arnhem Land artists and artefacts like fishing spears and boomerangs from Earle Page College Collection.

While leisurely taking time to appreciate the impressive display of art you can sit a while and watch a slideshow in the lecture theatre of the 30 year journey of Oorala’s history.

A display of sculpture created by the BackTrack Iron Man Workshop, renowned for their welding skills, include a life size sheep and kangaroo, amid smaller artwork.

BackTrack and Oorala have a special bond, with the boys attending experience days and performing with their Paws Up Show at the Oorala Open Day. Oorala staff volunteer at the BackTrack cooking and residential programs, giving the young boys support in tough situations.

Main image: Brent Emerson’s “Marrawal”.