The third and final unveiling of artworks by Indigenous artists has taken place at the ANU Colleges of Science; Health and Medicine.

Dale Huddleston and the Riverbank band performed as five new Indigenous artworks were presented, which will find their place in the Robertson building’s SHM Administration hub area for many years to come.

Lead singer, Dale Robert Huddleston, was not only a musical guest of honour but also one of the local artists whose work was on display. A proud Ngardi and Wiradjuri man, the incredibly talented Huddleston family contributed three artworks for display.

Professor Russell Gruen, Dean of the College of Health and Medicine, provided the opening words.

“This is the final in a series of events where we celebrate these artworks, which are all sourced locally here in Canberra while being linked to many parts of our nation—in keeping with the national role of our University—through the origins and stories of the artists themselves from various parts of the country.”

An initial unveiling was held in the Peter Baume building, where local artist and Nyiampaa woman Sarah Richards presented two paintings named Kindness and Strength.

The second instalment occurred at the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences, which featured artists Dale Huddleston, Gregory Joseph, Richie Allan, and Lynette Talbot.

The final event at the RN Robertson building featured works by Rayne Huddleston, Peggy Hector, Megan Daley, Dale Huddleston and Linda Huddleston.

“It was great to support local indigenous artists - I didn’t realise how under-supported they were,” explains Rachelle Hammond, who is a Marketing Officer at the ANU Joint Colleges of Science, under the Indigenous Professional Staff Traineeship Program.

Rachelle and fellow trainees Tylah Saunders and Shaye Graham were in charge of choosing local artwork and coordinating the series of unveilings.

“It has been really fun, and meeting a lot of local Indigenous families and working and supporting with them has been amazing,” Rachelle says.

“My favourite part of the process has been seeing local Indigenous artists coming together, and being supported. Building space for them by showing their work, and seeing them network, is really important.”