Feb 3, 2009

Tears of joy and sorrow flowed when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd created history by saying Sorry on the floor of Parliament house nearly a year ago. To mark the memorable moment Indigenous photographer Wayne Quilliam has been commissioned to curate an exhibition of photographs taken on the day.

It was an honour to be at the Apology and an even great honour to be asked to put together an exhibition of photographs that captured such a significant moment in time, Wayne said. This work is a reflection of peoples emotions which I hope accurately represents the essence of the day. Between Merv Bishop and myself I feel these photographs have captured the diversity of events that took place at Parliament House and hope that the people who visit this exhibition consider why Sorry was more than a word to our people.

The majority of the images included in the exhibition were a part of the winning entry for the 2008 Human Rights Award for Print media, Wayne in partnership with the Koori Mail, won the award for the National Apology: commemorative lift out.

Wayne Quilliam is one of Australias most prominent Aboriginal photographic artists with more than 100 solo and group exhibitions in Australia, Europe, Asia and the USA, 25 in the past 18 months. He was the winner of the 2008 Human Rights award for print media and over the last 12 months he has held exhibitions in Germany, Austria, Vienna, Mexico, USA, China and several galleries in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide including his internationally succesful series Lowanna. Recent projects include working with the traditional people of Mexico and Bolivia, his work features on the BBC, China, Taiwan and Australian Television.

Venue Parliament House, Canberra ACT