A collection of unique indigenous art is on display at Curtin’s Resources and Chemistry Precinct as part of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy celebrations.<\/p>\n
More than 30 artists from Yamaji Art in Geraldton created pieces for the exhibition, entitled Ilgarijiri \u2013 things belonging to the sky<\/em>, as a joint venture with Curtin’s Radio Astronomy group.<\/p>\n Professor of Radio Astronomy Steven Tingay said the exhibition titled Ilgarijiri (things belonging to the sky), began with a cultural exchange between artists and astronomers.<\/p>\n ‘One of the major aspects of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy project is getting different groups of people to work together,’ he said.<\/p>\n ‘So our collaboration with the Yamaji Art group began with a camp where astronomers and indigenous artists sat around a campfire and discussed their different perspectives on constellations and stars,’<\/p>\n ‘It was very interesting because it was a kind of connection between the modern, and the ancient.’<\/p>\n Professor Tingay said the exhibition was a chance for people to learn more about both indigenous art, and astronomical developments happening in WA.<\/p>\n Currently, Australia along with South Africa has been short-listed as a potential location for the most advanced radio telescope to date\u2014the Square Kilometre Array.<\/p>\n If built in Australia, the radio telescope will be located 300 kilometres north-east of Geraldton.<\/p>\n Professor Tingay, who has been working the SKA prototype for ten years, said he was hopeful the telescope will be built on Australian soil.<\/p>\n ‘It would be a great advantage for us to have the SKA in our backyard,’ he said.<\/p>\n The Ilgarijiri exhibition opened September 16 will run until the end of October.<\/p>\n