Dimapur, September 29 (MExN): Tribal designers and creative professionals from the states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand attended an interactive session organised by the Tribal Design Forum (TDF) with Dr Danie Mellor, a contemporary artist and photographer from Australia on September 26.
A press release from the TDF informed that session started with an opening note by the Barry O’Farrell AO, the High Commissioner of Australia to India, who highlighted the proactive role of the Australian ecosystem in facilitating arts and culture of the indigenous people in Australia through notable steps like developing the International Indigenous Charter of Design.
Dr Mellor, of indigenous origin himself, presented his unique work that captured the history and geography of the indigenous landscape of aboriginal Australians and highlighted new techniques, methods and approach through which art could be used to present various narratives of indigenous communities, it said.
Stating that he had a good opportunity to interact with indigenous designers from India, Dr Mellor said that the session could be an interesting pathway for other designers and makers in Australia to connect with indigenous Indian colleagues, it added.
“It seems like a great platform for sharing research and explores potential future collaboration between the indigenous creative communities in Australia and India.”
“It was enthralling to see a new and refreshing visual and conceptual approach in Dr Mellor’s work. It does inspire us to relook at our own community’s visual culture in a new light!, TDF quoted Kevisedenuo Margaret Zinyu, textile designer and design entrepreneur, Studio Predeliction, Nagaland, as saying regarding the event.
Another attendee, Meisen Jamir, a Textile Design student from Nagaland studying at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, also noted that “Dr Mellor’s work was absolutely mesmerizing with his unique interpretation of narratives in indigo blue representation.”
“Very inspiring to see how intangible concepts of time and memory of indigenous communities can be brought to life indeed…something which I got to learn a lot from,” she added.
Meanwhile, the TDF further informed that Dr Mellor, a board member of the Museum of Contemporary Arts Australia whose work are displayed at some world’s leading museums and art galleries, is serving as an international jury member of the Tribal Heritage of India Photography Contest which the TDF is currently organizing.
Apart from him, other indigenous photographers comprising the international jury panel are from Peru, Cook Islands and USA while Other photographers in the panel are the Netherlands, Ecuador, Nigeria and India, having notable works with indigenous communities, it added.
More details on the photography contest and the various jury members can be found at www.tribaldesignforum.com.
