ARTISTS |
||||
|
Michael Riley b. 1960, Dubbo, New South Wales Michael Riley was born in Dubbo in 1960, a member of the Wiradjuri/Gamiloroi people in New South Wales. On arriving in Sydney he began his successful photographic career in 1982-83, going on to add the art of filmmaking at Film Australia, SBS and ABC TV to his portfolio of skills. Along with nine other Sydney-based artists, Michael established Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Co-Operative as a studio and exhibition space in 1987 in response to the lack of facilities and support for indigenous artists in the Sydney metropolitan area. He was a Board member of Boomalli until 2004. Michael was a renowned artist exhibiting extensively both in Australia and internationally in solo and group shows. These included Holy, Holy, Holy (2004); 11th Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh (2003); Photographica Australis, Sala de Exposiciones del Canal de Isabel II, Madrid, Spain (2002); Beyond the Pale: Contemporary Indigenous Art, Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art (2000); Clouds and Empire (2000); Fly Blown (1999); Flesh and Blood: A Sydney Story 1788-1998 (1998); Chip on the Shoulder (1999); On a Mission (1995); Urban Focus: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art from Urban Areas of Australia (1994); ARATJARA: Art of the First Australians, Dusseldorf, Germany (1993); Sacrifice (1992); A Common Place (1991); Tagari Lia: My Family Contemporary Aboriginal Art from Australia, Glasgow, Scotland (1990); Portraits by a Window (1990); Boomalli Breaking Boundaries (1989); and Koori Art '84 (1984). Michael received numerous awards and accolades for his works including the Grand Prize at the 11th Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh for his Cloud series, a Tudawali award for Direction in a Documentary for Blacktracker, and a Bronze medal for Direction at the New York Film Festival for Poison. Michael has been an invigorating force in contemporary Aboriginal art, bringing a unique perspective and aesthetic to the portrayal of Aboriginal life and debates in this country. His influence has been great and enduring. |
||||