I was lucky to be part of a preview session tonight for a new show opening tomorrow at the Toledo Museum of Art. “Crossing Cultures” offers a stunning view into the last few decades of art created by Australian Aboriginals.

Growing up, and being educated in America I had no knowledge of the LONG history of the Aboriginal people of Australia. I was completely unaware of their 50,000 year history in Australia or that they were only considered “human” by the contemporary government in my lifetime. It was only in 2008 that Prime Minster Kevin Rudd issued a public apology to members of the “Stolen Generations.”

Long story short, there is an INCREDIBLE history of creative dialog in Australia that has only recently been documented and produced for sale. It’s so recent, it’s not a part of many of our collective conscious because it’s just so “new” to non Aboriginals.

In addition to pieces of art that were clearly and obviously “Australian” there are also some very contemporary pieces by Aboriginals that are more aligned with “urban” culture created by Aboriginals that live in major cities versus some of the artists living off the land. The show greets you with some photography that is absolutely stunning.

If you’re in or around the Toledo area… heck if you live within a 1/2 day drive of Toledo, you should check out this show. It’s eye opening, amazing, and completely different aesthetically than what you’re used to. More info here: www.toledomuseum.org/exhibitions/crossingcultures