The New Heart of Trinity Beach
With such wonderful generous hosts at ‘glaskins gallery‘ the celebrations for Border Watch were a huge success. Many people asked me afterwards about the gallery and the inspiration behind it so I’ve asked Garry to contribute something to my blog each month. I figure we’d better start with the main man himself. Let me introduce him by asking him some questions.
Garry, your full name is a little unusual. What are its origins?
My given and adopted name is Garry Kalika Flange Irukandji Llewellyn Glaskin, my heritage being Wardani Bibbulum Aboriginal tribes of SW Australia.
You set up ‘glaskins gallery’ at Trinity Beach, but I understand you have other business interests as well.
That’s right. My companies are The Flange Company Pty Ltd located in Perth and Brisbane, ‘glaskins gallery’, and Trinity Picininis of Aboriginal Creative Arts, also located within the gallery. I moved to Cairns with my family in 2007, with a plan of retirement. Hold that thought! These days I find myself on an unexpected long spiritual journey of Trinity and Atooi and working 24/7, whilst traveling constantly, much the same as you do, Helene.
I’d noticed your schedule is even more hectic than mine – you must have racked up some serious frequent flyer points…
Tell us a bit about the artists whose works hang at the gallery.
‘Glaskins gallery’ features art by my brother, acclaimed Aboriginal artist, Derek Dingo Glaskin, who has resided in Kauai, Hawaii for over 30 years. Also featured is my beautiful mother, artist Lyla Joan Hume of WA, often referred to as the white noongar. We have several other local Indigenous artists featured and the gallery is very much becoming the central hub of Trinity Beach Cairns.
I love the artwork by Thomas Storrie and of course local artist Tanya Sarianti Ashworth! And I understand you have some exciting news regarding your cultural initiatives.
Yes I do have some exciting news. On August 21st, 2009, Derek Dingo Glaskin was appointed the Ambassador – Minister of Aboriginal Arts and Culture to Australia for the Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi – Hawaii Kingdom by Ali’i Nui Dayne Aleka Aipolani.
I myself, also an advocate of Atooi, will soon be appointed Cultural Ambassador to Australia, and will work closely with family and friends in Hawaii in the reconciliation and land ownership rights of the Atooi people, much the same as here in Australia with our Aboriginal people.
And your initiatives at the gallery?
Gary and the art class
Along with my Aboriginal brother, Trevor Peckham, and his wife, Olivia, I’m helping to set up Trinity Picininis of Aboriginal Creative Arts in Australia, which devotes it’s artistic expertise to the re-education of our children in Aboriginal Trinity and Polynesian Atooi lore through art, music, film and story telling.
Art and Cultural Classes are regularly held in the gallery for children as young as 4 year olds to young adults.
Contact numbers can be obtained through the website, www.glaskinsgallery.com.au.
Kangaroo sketches
I’ve seen some of the work the children have produced and it’s amazing! Trevor’s enthusiasm is infectious and he has so much share.
Yes, the journey has started and the story telling will enlighten all. You can find more details about Atooi ~ The Light of God in ancient Polynesian at www.atooi.net
Also I’d like to send love to our son, Jason Lee, who has just been diagnosed with severe Hypertophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). His AFL aspiration may be over, but he is still a champion and will journey with me.
Aloha and Mahola.
Garry, I’m sorry to hear about Jason’s illness. I know you and your family will help him through this with much grace, big hearts and loads of support.
Look forward to chatting with you next month.
An impromptu afternoon coffee session!
4 Responses to “The New Heart of Trinity Beach”
Comment from Helene
Time April 5, 2010 at 16:30
Hi Sandy, Garry is certainly doing a great job of maintaining his heritage and culture.
He’s away o/s at the moment but I’m sure he’ll have an explanation about the dot style painting – maybe he can explain that in his post next month!
Comment from Dingo Hume
Time April 13, 2010 at 18:32
Dear Sandy
Aboriginal Dot painting
The unmistakable aboriginal dot paintings, what are they called?, what do they mean?
The dot painting is a relatively new art style first seen in the SW of Western Australia back around 1967. Later on, some bloke on walkabout from Kluge Ruhe Museum USA took the art to the desert mob and said…
“Well this is what them blokes are doing down Sth”
The dots have several meanings according to what the story teller is depicting., usually bush.
Comment from Sandy
Time April 4, 2010 at 11:55
Hi Helene and Garry, Thank goodness you discovered Jason’s problem before it manifested itself in a terminal way. I imagine maintaining some level of fitness for him must be a terrible worry for you, his dad. This is going to sound corny but I am always heartend to hear of people trying to maintain the better part of their cultures, whether it be art, story telling or bbq’s. Garry can you tell me what the dot style aborignal painting is called? And does the name change from tribe to tribe?