Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this event may contain stories and images of deceased people and its content may cause sadness or distress.
The first in our Portrait of an Artist series for 2021 we pay tribute to the late Laurie Nilsen – one of Queensland’s most well-loved artists.
Laurie was the co-founder of FireWorks Gallery and a founding member of both the Campfire Group of Artists from the early 1990s and proppaNOW Artists Collective formed in 2004. Laurie trained in graphic arts and sculpture. Drawing, painting and mixed-media mediums all form part of his practice. In 1988, Laurie was one of the first ‘urban’ Aboriginal artists to have work acquired by the National Gallery of Australia. Although most of his work tackled issues that concern Aboriginal people, Laurie recognised these concerns also affected non-Aboriginal people.
This Portrait of an Artist event will include a panel discussion by photographer, anthropologist and researcher Michael Aird, artist and Director of FireWorks Gallery Michael Eather and artist Pat Hoffie.
Location: Auditorium 2, level 2, State Library of Queensland, Wed 14 April, 6.30pm
The Portrait of an Artist series is made possible thanks to the generosity of James C Sourris AM through the Queensland Library Foundation.
Image of Ten goolburis, an artwork by Laurie Nilsen, 2008, Mick Richards, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number 18382691820-0001-0001
