NAS NEO - State of Affairs

NAS NEO is art in motion.

Join us for NAS NEO’s second June edition as we celebrate Contemporary Indigenous Art. With live music, art, performances, workshops, and much more, NAS NEO is Sydney’s hottest art after-hours event. 

We’ll have food trucks and drinks, students work on display, and much more.

Best of all, tickets are FREE but remember to RSVP!

HEADLINE ACT ANNOUNCED — BARKAA

BARKAA is a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman whose roots come from Western New South Wales, living on Gandangara land in South West Sydney.

Music to BARKAA has been part of her journey to express herself and passionate about the truth and issues impacting First Nations people. She released her debut single ​“For My Tittas” which put her on the map followed by her debut E.P ​‘BLAK MATRIARCHY’ which has propelled her to remarkable heights over the last couple of years.

In 2022, BARKAA continued to make waves with rounding out the year with two ARIA nominations and a victory in the King Brown — Song of the Year category at the National Indigenous Music Awards. She was also honoured as an FBi SMAC Award winner for the third consecutive year, triumphing in the coveted Record of the Year category with her album ​“Blak Matriarchy” and securing the Best Video award for its eponymous film clip, as well as, taking home the Best International Hip Hop Single of the Year Award at the International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards.

Her exceptional contributions to the music industry led being featured in Vogue Magazine and being dubbed as the new matriarch of Australian rap by GQ.

BARKAA’s journey as an artist not only encampuses her musical prowess but also her dedication to addressing important societal issues and celebrating her rich cultural heritage. As her star continues to rise, BARKAA proves herself to be an influential force in shaping our nations music scene.

OCCURRENT AFFAIR — OPENING NIGHT

Join us for the opening night of Occurrent Affair, an exhibition from Brisbane-based Indigenous Art Collective proppaNOW. Established in 2003, proppaNOW is one of Australia’s leading cultural collectives, exploring the politics of Aboriginal art and culture, and provoking, subverting and re-thinking what it means to be a ​‘contemporary Aboriginal artist’.

Conceived as a collaborative activist gesture, OCCURRENT AFFAIR will address current socio-political, economic and environmental issues, while celebrating the strength, resilience and continuity of Aboriginal culture. Engaging wordplay through its title, OCCURRENT AFFAIR references the sensational journalistic style of some television current affair programs. The exhibition will reflect on the ongoing state of affairs affecting Aboriginal communities – issues that are relevant to all Australians.

FREE WORKSHOPS

The Sum of Us with Amelia Lynch

Take part in a collaborative drop-in hand building clay workshop where people are invited to make a pinch pot to contribute to a larger installation piece. 

Patchwork with Freya Fristad and Annabelle McEwen

You’re invited to create a heatpress collage using images supplied by us, which will be transferred to your own take home draw-string calico bag! 

BAD SCULPTURE: Opening Night

Walk down to the Library Stairwell Gallery for the opening night of a NAS student exhibition curated by MFA Sculpture student Martin John Oldfield. The show runs from 22 June-19 July. 

DJs

FOOD STALLS

Get stuck into NAS NEO favourites Viet Bahnmese or the delightful Zam Malaysian Delights.

and MORE DETAILS TO COME

This initiative is proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Culture Up Late Program.

#NASNEO #CultureUpLate #CUL2023.