‘No Black Sea’s’ Exhibition

No Black Seas is a specially commissioned exhibition of new works by artists from Ceduna, a South Australian coastal town nestled on the Great Australian Bight. The exhibition addresses the artists’ cultural and personal connections with the Bight and the impact that drilling would have on country and community; sounding the alarm for an issue that is not only theirs but all of ours.

The Bight is a haven for marine animals, plants and birdlife: scientists estimate that about 85% of species that live there are found nowhere else on Earth. Today the Bight is under threat. Norwegian oil giant Equinor said in mid-2019 that it would push ahead with plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight, despite major safety and environmental concerns, including the potential for a catastrophic oil spill.

For the Mirning, Kokatha and Wirangu artists from Arts Ceduna, the proposed drilling of the Bight has posed not only an environmental threat but a threat to their home and to their cultural identity, which is intrinsically tied to the lands and waters of the region. For them, the destruction of the Great Australian Bight would be another in a series of historic and current social, environmental, political and economic injustices.

No Black Seas also features artistic contributions from Kristen Bobyk, Pam Diment, Elizabeth Donaldson and Denise Scott. Artwork development and production supported by Ku Arts.

Arts Ceduna, Ku Arts and ACE Open are partners in the development and presentation of this project with support from Tarnanthi.