My final week of prac was spent in Woodside's Karratha office which was very insightful and I feel lucky to have had this opportunity. The reason for my blog however is that I spent an amazing day in our Roebourne office working with our Indigenous Affairs Advisor Bianca Crake and I just had to tell you about it.
First off was a visit to the Roebourne Arts Group (RAG) whom Woodside sponsor. We went to their workshop where I met all the artists and saw them hard at work - this was a little daunting as I was greeted by stares and one lady asking Bianca "This white fella gonna buy some art?" to which I was too scared to reply so I hid behind Bianca! It is extremely hot in Roebourne yet they were all working in a tin shed with no air-conditioning. After having a chat with one of the not so daunting artists we moved over to their gallery where I saw some amazing paintings (pity they were all out of my price range!). Here I met their manager who was just so passionate about these ladies & their work that it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.
Next stop was the Yinjaa-Barni Art Group - whom Woodside have started sponsoring this year - where I met some friendlier artists. Bianca told me that I would see a difference in the quality of work between RAG and Yinjaa Barni - which I doubted because I hadn't really paid much attention to Indigenous Art before. But sure enough the artworks at Yinjaa Barni were even more spectacular than those at RAG. Here I saw a lot of artwork that will be displayed in Woodsides foyer for an art exhibition later in the year.
Before we headed back to Karratha Bianca gave me a tour of the town which took all of two minutes.
To finish off my amazing day I was invited to attend (on behalf of Woodside) the launch of the 2011 Gumula Minuwarni project. This is an education initiative sponsored by Woodside that see's kids from Karratha and Roebourne have fun but educational tutoring after school. It includes after school sessions, camps and other outings. It was so great to see these kids excited about their studies and their parents being so supportive.
I hope you all have such great experiences with your prac!
1 comment:
How interesting! I have to admit I'm green with envy at your amazing position with Woodside. It's the industry in which I would like to end up in, and Woodside is such a great company. And it sounds as though you have had an amazing experience, especially being able to go up north and experience the cultural side of what the company is involved in. Congratulations!
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