MEDIA RELEASE

Artfiles Showcases the Best in the West

Released 5 February 2005

Information and Cultural Exchange
PO Box 4033 Parramatta NSW 2124 Australia
T: +61(2) 9897 5744 / F: +61(2) 9897 5766

Artfiles Launches in Blacktown

Arts and culture buffs can get their shot of arts and culture, Western Sydney-style, at the Artfiles Showcase, on until Thursday 10 February at Blacktown Arts Centre. The exhibition, open 11am-4pm daily, features art exhibits and film screenings by artists and filmmakers in the region.

A mixed-media work by Emu Plains artist Leng Hernandez features a block of ice melting through the canvas of her painting, causing the colours to melt together. Camden artist Freya Jobbins is exhibiting her unique sculpture— a belly cast of a pregnant woman with dragonfly lights inside it.

The Artfiles Showcase, officially launching artfiles 05: the arts directory for Western Sydney, is managed by Western Sydney-based arts organisation Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE) and sponsored by Blacktown City Council and Blacktown Arts Centre. It highlights the creativity, innovation and diversity of over 1700 Western Sydney artists represented in the Artfiles book and website. Now in its fifth year, Artfiles is the most comprehensive directory of Western Sydney artists and the area’s vibrant arts scene.

At the Showcase opening night last Thursday 3 February, which kicked off the week-long exhibition, guests were treated to live music performances, comedy, film screenings, poetry readings and visual art displays, offering a taste of the talent of Western Sydney artists and performers.

The Artfiles Showcase was officially launched by Member for Blacktown Mr Paul Gibson MP, with special guest MC Lex Marinos, commentator on ABC TV’s Strictly Dancing and long-standing cultural activist. Guest speakers included Mayor of Blacktown City Mr Leo Kelly OAM and Darug Elder Aunty Edna Watson.

“Western Sydney is one of the most multicultural areas in Australia, and that diversity produces some very exciting visual and performing arts,” said Mr Lex Marinos, who has three decades of experience in the cultural and entertainment sectors. “The artfiles showcase offers a glimpse of the range of traditional and cutting-edge arts coming out of Western Sydney.”

“Artfiles just keeps growing—it’s a vital resource for the many people who take part in creative activities in the arts”, said event organiser and Artfiles Program Manager Mouna Zaylah.

Talking about the Artfiles project, the Hon Bob Carr, Premier of NSW and Minister for the Arts, said, “Over the past five years, artfiles has become the central arts hub of the West, connecting up the arts, community and business sectors. The artfiles book and website show the tremendous talent thriving in the Western Sydney area.”

Artfiles is managed by Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE and supported by NSW State Government-Ministry for the Arts, Bankstown City Council, Baulkham Hills Shire Council, Blacktown City Council, Blue Mountains City Council, Campbelltown City Council, Fairfield City Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Holroyd City Council, Parramatta City Council, Penrith City Council, Wollondilly Shire Council, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, Webstar Print, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and 3D World.

Media:
For more information or to organise an interview please contact
Caroline Shepherd, ICE on 9897 5744 or research@ice.org.au.