Black Capital: Redfern opens its doors

Redfern elder Millie Ingram at the opening of the Sydney Festival’s Black Capital program of events, Redfern, NSW.

The spotlight is on the art and culture of Redfern’s Aboriginal community at the Sydney Festival’s Black Capital program of events.

In a move that has placed Sydney’s black culture on the national and international stage this month, the Sydney Festival has launched an inaugural program of Redfern-based Aboriginal performances, exhibitions and events.

The festival’s Black Capital program was launched on Sunday at the Aboriginal-owned Carriageworks performance and art space, by local Redfern elder Millie Ingram, a Wiradjuri woman who heads Redfern’s Wyanga Elders Group.

Ingram welcomed festival goers “to the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation”.

“I’m always so happy to do the welcome to country because I’m very much supportive of the process of reconciliation between us as the First Australians with our fellow Australians,” she said.  

Travelling Colony musicians.

Travelling Colony acrobat.

Sydney Rabbitohs (from left) Kyle Turner, Hamish Bryant, Tyrone Phillips and Kurt French at Black Capital launch.

“I’m so happy to be here as part of Black Capital because I do love creative people. I love entertainers; I love people who give of their talents for our pleasure.”

Ingram said she believed the Sydney Festival coming to Redfern for the Black Capital program was part of Redfern opening up to the outside world.

“I have seen the changes in Redfern and I think there’s been such wonderful things happening.

“I’ve been through the bad times here and the good times and thank goodness we’re in the good times.

“We take Redfern to our heart. It’s part of our struggle for our equal rights in our country and we are now seeing that being achieved and that’s demonstrated here today.”

Sydney Festival director Lindy Hume said the festival was proud to present Black Capital, “a celebration of the creativity, resilience, dynamism and cultural strength of Aboriginal Sydney”.

“Every great city is built on the stories of its citizens,” Hume said.

“The artists featured in Black Capital have compelling stories to tell about their journeys, their struggles, their triumphs and their losses…You’ll find here many stories to take forward into our future.” 

The Black Capital program was launched at a Family and Cultural Day in Redfern, which featured Aboriginal artist Brook Andrew’s Travelling Colony, a series of caravans decorated with traditional Wiradjuri designs where visitors could listen to stories from seven different members of the Redfern Aboriginal community.

Those looking for a taste of Redfern’s musical talents were treated to performances from Gadigal Music Label acts including Marcus Corowa, Jess Beck and Duke Box.

The 181 Regent St exhibition detailed the history of black theatre-making in the area through photographs, film and historical objects.

The story of Aboriginal Sydney was also told on stage in the theatrical production I Am Eora, directed by Wesley Enoch, which used music, dance and drama to depict the lives of Aboriginal leaders from Sydney’s past: Pemulwuy, Barangaroo and Bennelong.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce was among the distinguished guests at the opening night’s performance.