Museum of Brisbane (MoB) will present a compelling solo exhibition by Indigenous Brisbane artist Andrea Fisher from 13 February to 26 April 2009.

Everyday is an exhibition of hand-crafted bracelets and photographs that explore the issues faced by Australia’s Indigenous people every day.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said Everyday is the first of a series of solo exhibitions by Queensland Indigenous artists that will show in MoB’s Space 4 gallery throughout the year.

“Over the past five years, MoB has devoted this space to mostly solo exhibitions by more than 23 emerging and established Queensland artists,” Cr Newman said.

“This year will focus on our local Indigenous artists to celebrate and acknowledge their long cultural history, with program beginning with this revealing exhibition from Andrea Fisher.

“Andrea Fisher is an exciting young artist who reflects on her Indigenous culture through a series of bracelets that resemble shackles along with photographs of family and friends acting out stereotypes or witticism through hand gestures.”

Artist Andrea Fisher says her intention is to draw from a darker past of history, reclaim it and make it empowering.

“I try to look at both dark and light of anything and importantly always want it to relate to my own cultural heritage and story,” Ms Fisher said.

The bracelets featured in the Shackle Series are made from patinated and etched brass with bullet casings.

Cr Newman said that through this combination of symbolic jewellery and photography, the artist provided an insight into both her artistic practice and the issues faced by young Indigenous people.

“The shackles remind us all of a harrowing past and yet the gestures captured in the photographs are very much a reflection of today,” Cr Newman said.

Brisbane born and currently residing in West End, the 27 year old Andrea Fisher belongs to the Birra-gubba (language group) people of Central Queensland also has connections with Wakka Wakka and Goreng Goreng peoples.

Working broadly as a 3D artist and varying her work between small pieces of jewellery to large installation, she is the youngest member of the proppaNOW collective which includes artists such as Vernon Ah Kee, Tony Albert, Bianca Beetson, Richard Bell, Jennifer Herd, Gordon Hookey and Laurie Nilsen.

The vision of proppaNOW is to challenge the views of how Aboriginal art is perceived.

Other exhibitions that will show at MoB concurrently with the Everyday exhibition include:
Growing Up: 150 Years of Brisbane - 2008 Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards until 8 March (Space 1) Temperature 2: New Queensland Art, 6 February to 8 June (Spaces 2 and
3) Moorooka Encounters, until 20 April 2009 (Storyhall, City Hall Foyer)

Open 10am-5pm, seven days a week, MoB is located on the ground floor of City Hall. Admission is free.

For further information about MoB visit www.museumofbrisbane.com.au or phone Council on (07) 3403 8888.

ENDS

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