The annual 2017 Eddie Koiki Mabo Art Exhibition will showcase artist Gail Mabo's exhibition titled Reflections: 25 Years On from Friday May 19th to June 12th 2017.Each year the James Cook University Library hosts an art exhibition by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist to celebrate the official naming of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library and, the official launch of the University’s Reconciliation Statement on 21 May, 2008. Nationally significant dates that occur during the exhibition include National Sorry Day (May 26th), Reconciliation Week (May 27th 1967 Referendum to June 3rd Mabo Day).
2017 is an important anniversary year being 25 years since the 1992 Mabo Land Rights case decision, 50 years since the 1967 National Referendum, 20 years since the Bringing Them Home Report and locally will also mark 60 years since the 1957 Strike by Indigenous Australian members of the Palm Island community. These dates and actions are considered landmark dates for Indigenous Australians and also for Australian society. The fundamental changes that resulted from them have rippled out affecting our nation and our community and people's everyday lives.
Gail Mabo has curated new and earlier works to prompt reflection on these changes. The effects have been felt personally, locally and nationally at all levels of society due to the actions of people like her father Eddie Koiki Mabo.
The exhibition and library is open to the public during our opening hours to view free of charge.
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