New exhibition in Wellington explores who the heroes are in our communities
Aunty Tracey, Dennis Golding 2022. Art print on paper. Photography by Alex Wisser.
EXHIBITION NOW OPEN
The opening of IDhero exhibition by Dennis Golding was celebrated by a crowd of locals and special guests at the Maliyan Cultural Centre in Wellington, on Friday, 25 November. This was the first exhibition at the new Wiradjuri cultural space. It was attended by Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders, staff and Councillors of Dubbo Regional Council, along with members of the Wellington community who participated in the workshops and photo shoots—a celebration of the superheroes in our local communities.
The exhibition is made up of a series of capes with totems on them that tell stories of the past and hopes for the future, experiences shaped by cultural identity, created by local Elders, community and school children in workshops with Dennis earlier in the year. Elders and community members were then photographed in the capes at spaces and places important to them. The photographs by Alex Wisser are also part of the exhibition, along with photos taken during this time by local photographer, Tara Stanley.
IDhero is an initiative of Orana Arts supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
Exhibition open until 26 January 2023
Maliyan Cultural Centre open hours
10am - 2pm, Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays)
FREE ENTRY
The opening of ID hero at the Maliyan Cultural Centre in Wellington on 25 November 2022
From left to right: photographer, Alex Wisser, photographer and CEO of the Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council Tara Stanley, Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, and artist Dennis Golding
Photos from the opening on 25 November (slideshow format)
MEDIA RELEASE: 21 November 2022
Sydney-based Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist, Dennis Golding has been working with Wellington community members to explore what it means to be a superhero in today’s world, in preparation for an exhibition opening on 25 November at the Maliyan Cultural Centre in Wellington.
Dennis Golding works across many different fields, using his Indigenous heritage, popular culture, and community activism to present empowering representations of Aboriginal life.
Orana Arts’ Partnerships and Engagement Manager, Andrew Glassop explains Golding’s artwork is very accessible in terms of its aesthetics and presentation.
“While it’s approachable, there are complex levels of meaning in the work, in this instance, working with community to rework what a superhero looks like.
“Superheroes like those in the comics Dennis read as a child— Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, were all white. Dennis rejects this, finding strength through his culture and family.”
In the IDhero exhibition, Golding questions what is it that gives a hero their power.
“Where can we get our power? How does our background, our culture and our heritage make us super?” said Mr Glassop. “We’re reminded that greatness lies within, and is needed by, all of us.”
Dennis Golding worked with Elders and community members from Wellington, as well as students from St Mary’s Catholic School and Wellington High School to develop capes that have also been photographed for the exhibition.
The designs on the capes were informed by the experiences and cultural identity of those who worked with Golding over several visits to the community. Elders and community members were then photographed in the capes at spaces and places important to them.
“These final images contrast the real strength of community heroes with the make believe of the comic book superhero.
The photographs were taken by Alex Wisser with assistance from emerging local photographer Tara Stanley.
IDhero opens at the Maliyan Cultural Centre, Cameron Park Wellington, on 11am, Friday 25 November. There’ll be an artist talk with Dennis Golding at 11am, Saturday 26 November at the Maliyan Cultural Centre.
IDhero is an initiative of Orana Arts supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Glassop, Orana Arts Partnerships and Engagement, 0400 014 342 or via email
