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Historic photo exhibition to open at Gallery
An unusual historic photographic exhibition will open at the University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery on Thursday 6 May at 6pm.
The exhibition, called “Missionaries Encounter the Other”, is being held in association with Dr Catherine Frerichs and the Art Galleries of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, in the United States.
The exhibition explores the relationships of New Guineans and missionaries in New Guinea in the 1940s and 1950s, at a time when Dr Frerichs’ parents worked there as American Lutheran missionaries.
The couple had recorded how the New Guineans first revered white people as their ancestors, while the westerners initially saw the “natives” as barely human. Both parties dramatically changed their views over time, which made it possible for them to work together.
USC Gallery Curator Dawn Oelrich said photography lovers were in for a treat.
“We are juxtaposing two photographic exhibitions,” she said. “The historical exhibition about New Guinea will feature alongside another exhibition about a more modern approach to intercultural relationships, called the Fiji Project.”
“Led by USC academic Dr Gayle Mayes, this project involves University students travelling to a remote village in the Fiji highlands to help build a health and education centre and to deliver various health and education programs.”
“In turn, the Fijians have treated USC students to workshops on singing, dancing, languages and art.”
The exhibition will continue until Saturday 5 June and admission is free. The USC Gallery is open from 10am to 4pm Mondays to Saturdays, closed Sundays and public holidays.
— Terry Walsh