As part of Amerindian Heritage Week programme, NALIS has partnered with the Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago to present the exhibition “Old Masters: Australia’s Great Bark Artists”. The exhibition was officially opened on Monday October 9, 2017 at the News Media Room, National Library of Trinidad and Tobago.

This exhibition will run until October 28 and showcases 14 banners of digital bark artworks by Australian Aboriginal artists as well as a copy of the apology transcript written by then Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd in 2008 to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples for ‘past mistreatment.’

Jilda Andrews, Curator of the National Museum of Australia and guest of the Australian Embassy was the feature speaker at the launch of the exhibition. She provided detailed information regarding the artwork on display and also said that “The Old Masters: Australia’s Great Bark Artists” travelling exhibition was developed by the National Museum of Australia and featured reproductions of selected original works from the exhibition of the same name.

While in Trinidad Andrews participated in a number of activities arranged by the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community and conducted exhibition tours with several schools in the Port of Spain area.

Delivering remarks at the launch were John Pilbeam, Australian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, and Grace Achoy, Deputy Executive Director, NALIS. The Mayor of Port of Spain, Alderman, Joel Martinez also attended the event along with other guests.