MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon. Barbara Perry launches Artfiles 2008/2009

Released 14 March 2008

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

Western Sydney’s essential arts directory, Artfiles, was launched on Thursday 13 March at Parramatta Artists Studios with the exhibition, Always Driving into the Sun, featuring outstanding local artists and an inspirational line-up of performers.

More than a directory of artists, Artfiles charts the creative explosion happening in Sydney’s West. It features descriptions and contact details for thousands of cultural creators – including artists, writers, designers and performers – as well as details on facilities, programs and activities in the region. With a new-look design and website, it’s been completely revamped for 2008.

But that’s not all the Artfiles program offers. Artfiles is a year-long professional development program that provides support to artists, and increases employment and exposure opportunities. Artfiles is an important program because it supports and highlights the wealth and diversity of creative talent in Western Sydney. It also provides councils, businesses and organisations with links to this talent.

Artfiles is the flagship publication of ICE and is supported by Arts NSW, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Chroma and 13 Western Sydney councils.

‘As we work to build stronger creative industries in Parramatta and throughout Western Sydney, a directory like Artfiles is an impressive index of our cultural activity,’ said Parramatta City Lord Mayor Paul Barber. ‘And Artfiles gives our artists access to other creative industry professionals, programs and exhibitions to help build their profile and skills.’

Western Sydney is Australia’s fastest growing region, and Artfiles reflects that, with over half the entries coming from Indigenous, migrant, refugee or NESB backgrounds.

The launch exhibition, Always Driving into the Sun, included a taste of that diversity, featuring artwork by Heath Franco, Fida Haq, Sari TM Kivinen, Naomi Oliver, Joanne Saad and Garry Trinh. The exhibition will be on show until 28 March at Parramatta Artists Studios, 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta; contact 9687 6090. There were also performances by R’n’B singer Ben Nitiva, rapper Jonnie Walker and classical Indian dancer Jita Singh.

A tailor-made installation by Italian-Ukrainian artist David Capra was also on show. Fresh from a year-long stay in Europe where he was awarded the Piemontese nel Mondo Arts Award, David was named among the top 25 young Australian artists by Art and Australia and Noise. His sculpture references his home suburb of Fairfield and the sculptures that adorn his neighbour’s homes, including dragons and lions.

David says Artfiles has been a fantastic resource. ‘Through Artfiles I had the opportunity to design sculptures for Bonnyrigg Park, Fairfield, and have been able to work with the UK’s Proboscis, which is really benefiting my practice,’ he says.

Free copies of Artfiles 2008/2009: connecting Western Sydney arts are available at public libraries across Western Sydney, for further information contact Amrit on 9897 5744 ext 5 or artfiles@ice.org.au.