Friday, February 24, 2017

RARE ART OBJECT OFFERED TO NORTHERN TERRITORY

Sporting  the  sox  of  the  Essendon  Australian  Rules   team , the  above  unusual  work of  art ,  inspired  by  Essendon champion  Michael   Long's  trek from  Melbourne  to  Canberra as a  protest against  Prime Minister John Howard's refusal to make an apology to the Stolen Generation ,   has been  offered  to  the  Museum  and  Art  Gallery Board  of the  Northern Territory, Darwin . It  was  created   by   agronomist  Robert  Wesley-Smith , founding member of the NT Council for Civil Liberties , keen  footballer , involved  in  numerous  indigenous  issues .

In  1993 Michael Long , a  top Northern Territory footballer, playing for  Essendon ,  was  named  the  Norm  Smith  Medalist .  After  10 days into his walk to  Canberra  , PM  Howard  agreed to  see  Long  and  discuss  the  issue .
 
The  above  photograph  was  taken  at  the   Bullocky  Point gallery  , minus  a   hat   marked M. Long , stolen  while   on  display  at a Northern Territory Library Timor Leste  function  where  Wesley-Smith  spoke   several  days  previously .  Over  the years ,  the  artwork   has   changed  somewhat  in   appearance .  
  On  display   at  an early  public function , the  object , made  from  an inverted   tree  ,  had  different  footwear and   non  Essendon   sox   , a  hat  clearly marked  M. Long  .
Inside the Wesley-Smith  residence, in a commanding  position , above ,   this  is another  view  of  the  figure  , with   an  explanation  strip .  Each  time  the  figure is  put  on    display it  attracts  much   attention and  comment  , people  taking  photos  of   and   with  it . 
 
 Impressed by  the object  , in   another slightly different  configuration , was  renowned  AFL player and  coach ,  Kevin  Sheedy , centre , with  Wesley-Smith , right,  and Wanderers  Football  Club  official  Darryl Window , at  the 100th anniversary of the  club  in  the  Northern Territory Football League ,  Darwin , last month .  At the  function , attended by  400,  the  object  received much  attention.  Sheedy has been  deeply  involved with Aboriginal  communities in the  north , urging   them to  become involved in  football, and   supported  anti-vilification laws in  the  game . 
 
At night, Wesley-Smith  does a lot of   walking  about his rural property - killing large numbers  of cane  toads , their croaking deafening ,  brought out  by  the  heavy  rain which  has  lashed  the Top End .