Griffith University Art Museum has opened a new exhibition Yuriyal Bridgeman: yubilong(mi)bilongyu showcasing the work of esteemed Queensland College of Art alumnus Yuriyal Bridgeman.
Vice Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans officially opened the exhibition on Sunday 1 December to an appreciative crowd at the QCAD campus, ending a weekend of celebrations across Brisbane for the opening of the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT) at QAGOMA.
About Yuriyal Bridgeman
Yuriyal Bridgeman’s work is deeply anchored in the traditional cultural practices of his Papua New Guinean community. Born in Redcliffe, Queensland, Bridgeman now lives and works between Kau-in-Kau-in lands of the Ningy Ningy people on Redcliffe Peninsula, the Turrbul/Yuggera Country of Kurilpa (West End) in Meanjin/Brisbane, and in Papua New Guinea.
Having completed a Bachelor of Photography at the Queensland College of Art in 2008, Bridgeman has carved out a distinctive presence within the contemporary art landscape of the Asia-Pacific region. Today, Bridgeman’s practice encompasses photography, video, painting, sculpture and installation. Bridgeman is also the co-founder of the artist collective Haus Yuriyal, where he plays a key role in developing the group’s contemporary art projects, showcased in the recently opened 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.
Since graduating from QCA, Bridgeman has regularly exhibited in group and solo exhibitions across Australia, including at QAGOMA, Brisbane; Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), Sydney; Home of the Arts, Gold Coast; and Carriageworks, Sydney. Bridgeman’s work has also featured on the international stage, notably NIRIN: 22nd Sydney Biennale, held across Cockatoo Island and the MCA.
Yuriyal Bridgeman: yubilong(mi)bilongyu
Yuriyal Bridgeman: yubilong(mi)bilongyu presents significant new works that reflect the culmination of Bridgeman’s recent research practice, along with a selection of works surveying the breadth of his career to date.
Bridgeman’s photographic and video works are positioned in portraiture and social commentary, often featuring loved ones and members of his community. His painting and sculpture practice, developed during his time in PNG, draws deeply from the traditions of the Yuri Alaiku men’s practices in the Simbu Province.
The exhibition and publication have been co-curated and co-edited by Angela Goddard, Director of Griffith University Art Museum and respected Bougainville Elder and art curator Aunty Sana Balai.
In their curatorial essay Yuriyal Bridgeman: Building Trust, Translation, Community, and Yalkuna, Angela Goddard and Aunty Sana Balai describe Bridgeman’s work as “demonstrating the responsibilities and support of community and the collective while translating between cultures and languages and navigating the pleasures and pressures of autonomy as an individual.”
Accompanying the exhibition is a monograph published by Griffith University Art Museum, that offers the first in-depth exploration of Bridgeman’s career to date. It presents cultural perspectives on his work from family members, community leaders in PNG, as well as leading artists, writers, and curators, and explores Bridgeman’s commitment to creating art within the context of community while also navigating the journey of an individual artist.
The publication includes texts from: Sana Balai, Veronica Gikope, Angela Goddard, Pat Hoffie, Joe Kuman, Ruth McDougall, Michael Mel, Archie Moore, Khaled Sabsabi, Aaron Seeto, John von Sturmer and Bomai Witne.
Yuriyal Bridgeman: yubilong(mi)bilongyu is supported by Sarazin, Creative Australia, University Art Museums Australia (UAMA), Wattyl, and Lock, Stock and Barrel.
Supported by the Gordon Darling Foundation, the publication can be purchased at Griffith University Art Museum or online.
Yuriyal Bridgeman: yubilong(mi)bilongyu is open at Griffith University Art Museum until 15 March 2025.
Open Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm. For enquiries visit the website or email [email protected]