SPONSORS AND FRIENDS OF NOMAD TWO WORLDS TO DATE INCLUDE: Adam Levin, Adriana Lima, Alec Gores, Caleb Followell (Kings of Leon), Donna Karan, Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard, Avchen & Shapiro, LLP, Heidi Klum, Hugh and Deborra-Lee Jackman, Joyce Lanigan, KCRW, Koorie Heritage Trust, Lily Aldridge, Lisa Fox, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE) gallery (co-funded by Getty Museum), Mal James, Metro gallery Australia, Miranda Kerr, Professor Fiona Stanley and the Institute For Child Health Research, Reconciliation Australia, ROAR, Rochelle Fredston, Sharen Turney, Sir Richard Branson, Steven Birkbeck and Mt Romance Australia Pty Ltd, The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, The Chumash Indian Museum, The Clinton Global Initiative, The Department of Reconciliation and Repatriation, The Government of Western Australia, The National Gallery of Victoria, The Pratt Foundation, Urban Zen Foundation, V Australia, Virgin Australia, Virgin Unite, Will.i.am, Apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie (The Black Eyed Peas)
“A STUNNING COLLECTION OF COLLABORATIVE ART, MUSIC AND FILM”
FORBES MAGAZINE
“A HYBRID OF HOPE”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
“WE ARE BLESSED, TRULY BLESSED, TO HAVE THEM AMONG US”
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER KEVIN RUDD
THE APOLOGY SPEECH FEBRUARY 2008
© 2011
/ Nomad Two Worlds
/ Studio Russell James, Inc.
Russell James and Nomad Two Worlds
proudly presents a preview of original and collaborative artworks
by internationally renowned artist Clifton Bieundurry
April 20 - May 31, 2012
Monday to Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Perl’eco Gallery 47-49 Bay View Terrace, Claremont, Perth, Western Australia
CLIFTON BIEUNDURRY
Australian Indigenous (Walmajarri) artist Clifton Bieundurry is an internationally exhibited artist and the foundation artist for Nomad Two Worlds. His artworks have been at the forefront of openings in New York (2009, Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Gallery), Melbourne (2009, National Gallery of Victoria), Los Angeles (2010, Pier 59 Studios) and Berlin (2011, Camera Work).
Also an extraordinary vocalist and performing artist, Bieundurry has recently completed a 10-week engagement performing on Broadway with Hugh Jackman, with his artworks featuring prominently in the show.
He now presents his solo works for the first time in Perth, Western Australia, where he will be sharing his cultural stories and symbolic messages of humanity through his unique blend of artistry and performance. Clifton’s works seek to bridge the cultural divide by explaining intricate details of his Walmajarri culture, as well as sharing stories from his own childhood in the Great Sandy Desert. “I paint to share my culture with all people….it is important that we can all gain an understanding of our diversity and differences so we can accept and learn from each other.”
NOMAD TWO WORLDS
Nomad Two Worlds is the brainchild of celebrated international photographer Russell James.
Originally from Western Australia, Russell has spent the last decade on a journey to reconcile
in his own mind the vast gulf that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
He has achieved this through artistic collaborations with Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists
from Australia, and has now expanded to include collaborations with Native American and Haitian
artists.
The result of these collaborations is the Nomad Two Worlds art collection, which has been
previewed in New York, Los Angeles, Berlin and Melbourne. These artworks blend James’
contemporary photography with ancient forms of art. Russell’s stunning photography has
so far been embellished by Indigenous Australian, Native American and Haitian artists, and
tells an evocative story of innocence (past), inhibition (present) and discovery (future). The
Nomad Two Worlds concept has been heralded as an example of reconciliation through artistic
expression and has become an international sensation, with support and backing from a range of
international business leaders including Richard Branson and Donna Karan and other well-known
artists, including the Black Eyed Peas.
As part of the celebrations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Perth Western Australia in October 2011, NOMAD TWO WORLDS, with the support of the State Government of Western Australia, created a new collaborative art collection and outdoor exhibition “Portrait of Diversity”. The impressive outdoor exhibition, held October 16 through November 4 in the Hay Street and Murray Street Malls, received heavy traffic and fantastic press attention and commentary. Longtime Nomad supporter DONNA KARAN was on hand, along with Nomad creator and photographer RUSSELL JAMES and Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett, to open it officially on October 24th in Perth.
The "Portrait of Diversity" collection is a celebration of Australia’s rich and diverse multi-cultural society. According to the last census, one in every five Australian residents was born overseas. As a migrant you always live in 'two worlds' – your adopted country and the country of your birth or cultural heritage. The collection features 53 portraits of ordinary Australian residents who were born in another Commonwealth country, embellished by Indigenous artists from around Western Australia.
Through this project we were able to create a positive link between the Indigenous communities and the migrant communities of Western Australia. The project is a celebration of diversity, information sharing and collaboration between communities and cultures. As we celebrate and explore our differences we find the common threads that connect all citizens of the Commonwealth.
Russell James attended a special session with former US President Bill Clinton and Haiti President Martelly on Monday evening. During the meeting President Clinton announced the commitment Nomad has made to Haiti in partnership with Urban Zen and Donna Karan.
The Clinton Global Initiative in New York finishes today and Russell James and other ‘Nomaders’ head to Perth for CHOGM. International press reported the announcement and extracts from WWD are below:
"Fashion's Key Role in Rebuilding Haiti
By Arthur Friedman
NEW YORK — The apparel industry is playing a crucial role in helping to rebuild Haiti less than two years after a devastating earthquake brought ruin to the impoverished Caribbean country.
Former President Bill Clinton unveiled several initiatives through the Clinton Global Initiative Monday night to help rebuild the island nation, including an $85 million investment from South Korean manufacturer Sae-A Trading Corp. to be the anchor in the new 617-acre Northern Industrial Park free trade zone, where it aims to create 20,000 jobs.
Other programs include a collaboration between Nomad Two Worlds and Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation to launch an $180,000 initiative to create sustainable employment opportunities for Haitian artists and spur art-inspired tourism.
“I can’t say enough about Donna Karan,” Clinton told the audience at the CGI annual meeting at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers on Seventh Avenue here. “She’s been my friend for 20 years and she makes me look like I am passive in my passion for Haiti.”
Clinton said Sae-A’s decision to build its apparel factory represents “the biggest investment commitment in the history of Haiti. It will include the first textile mill in the history of the country.
“Sae-A went from donating 100,000 articles of clothing right after the earthquake to soon becoming one of the largest employers in the country,” said Clinton. “Even though it went through a terrible tragedy, this is the best opportunity for Haiti in my lifetime to build a society and a country worthy of its people.”
Clinton asked Sae-A chairman Woong-Ki Kim why he and his company would choose to invest in Haiti.
“Haiti’s close proximity to the U.S. gives it the advantage of shorter delivery times when nowadays speed-to-market is so important,” said Kim, speaking through an interpreter. “Haiti has an abundant and motivated labor supply and this is critical to a manufacturing operation that will employ thousands of workers. Haiti’s preferential trade agreement with the U.S. gives our U.S.-based customers duty free entry.” (more here)
The 50 local faces of an ambitious art project to be staged alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth next month were revealed today by Premier Colin Barnett.
Nomad Two Worlds, founded by the Perth-born and internationally-renowned photographer Russell James, was commissioned by the State Government to develop an outdoor exhibition of 53 large-scale portrait photographs representing the 53 Commonwealth countries.
A State-wide search to find 53 West Australians born in each of the Commonwealth countries attending CHOGM resulted in people from 50 of the 53 countries being identified.
“The fact that the Nomad team was able to find 50 of the 53 countries required, truly highlights the immense cultural diversity of our State,” Mr Barnett said.
The Premier said another pleasing aspect of the project was the involvement of a number of Western Australia’s most talented indigenous artists, including Clifton Bieundurry, Richard Walley and Sue Wyatt.
In keeping with Nomad Two Worlds’ artistic style, the artists added intricate and beautiful design work to the portrait photographs. The exhibition Portrait of Diversity also features a quote from each person about what they love, or miss, about the country of their birth.
Three countries, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Belize and St Lucia, will be represented by people now living in New York and recently photographed there by founder Russell James.
Nomad Two Worlds premiered an amazing new short film, "Reconciliation" featuring Hugh Jackman, Nomad Indigenous Australian artist Nathan Mundraby, and Indigenous Australian community activist Olive Knight. Footage was shot in Toronto, where Nate and Olive were performing as part of Hugh Jackman's one-man theatrical show, Russell James directed.
Nomad Two Worlds unveiled a trove of new Australian and Haitian collaborative artworks at it's Berlin Exhibition to rave reviews in Berlin. Hugh Jackman, Deborra-Lee Jackman, Donna Karan and Russell James hosted the Opening Event at historic Alte Munze on August 19, with the exhibition open to the public August 20-28, 2011.
An educational Live Stream event, featuring Nomad creator Russell James, Donna Karan, three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Scilla Elworthy, Native American activist Graywolf and Nomad artists Clifton Bieundurry (Walmajarri, AU) and Philippe Dodard (Haiti) explored "Preservation of Culture: Common Grounds". And Australian educators Denise Shillinglaw and Stephanie Armstrong discussed "The Soft Tissue of Reconciliation" as part of Nomad's continuing commitment to cultural sharing and respect.
Want more? Check out the Berlin trailer, exhibition photos, and the new film "Reconciliation" featuring Hugh Jackman, Nathan Mundraby and Olive Knight.
It is Nomad Two Worlds' tradition to host an educational lecture series within each exhibition. This trip to Berlin we are presenting two very exciting livestream events at our exhibition space on SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2011. Both events will feature a live, interactive Q&A with the panelists.
Tune-in, ask questions, and participate at:
www.facebook.com/nomadtwoworlds
www.ustream.tv/channel/nomadtwoworlds
EVENT INFORMATION:
PRESERVATION OF CULTURE : COMMON GROUNDS
The Past. The Present. A Reconciled Future.
A LIVE PANEL DISCUSSION
11AM -12:15 AM EDT (17:00h - 18:15h CET)
A panel of highly diverse and powerful global champions of Indigenous and threatened cultures discuss the importance and impact of preservation from uniquely differing points of view and personal experiences. The first half of the hour will be 
dedicated to discussion between the panel, and the remaining time will be spent accepting questions from the live audience screened by an off-camera editor taking questions via Facebook and Ustream.
PANELISTS:
DONNA KARAN - Designer and Founder of Urban Zen, an organization which creates, connects and collaborates to raise awareness and inspire change in the areas of well-being, preserving cultures and empowering children. Urban Zen designs forums, partners with existing organizations and brings together experts to define solutions and implement action
RUSSELL JAMES - Photographer, Creator Nomad Two Worlds
DR. SCILLA ELWORTHY - Three time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, founder Peace Direct, organizer of "The Elders" program for Sir Richard Branson, and presenter "Tools For Peace" plenary session at the World Peace Festival
CLIFTON BIEUNDURRY - Nomad Two Worlds Aboriginal artist and Walmajarri elder. An eloquent speaker, community activist and cultural advisor to Nomad
PHILIPPE DODARD - Nomad Two Worlds Haitian artist, co-founder and president of Fondation Culture Creation, cultural advisor to First Lady Elisabeth D. Preval, project chief for Art & Ambiances (instrumental in reconstruction of the Haiti Iron Market after the devastating earthquake), and 2011 Ambassador of the Urban Zen Foundation
GRAYWOLF - Head curator of the Chumash Indian Museum in California, powerful American Indian activist and speaker, trusted keeper and true storyteller of the Chumash Indian people
THE SOFT TISSUE OF RECONCILIATION
"Two Way" teaching and Cross-Cultural Relationships
LECTURE PRESENTATION
10 AM – 10:45AM EDT (16:00 - 16:45 CET)
Australian educators Denise Shillinglaw and Stephanie Armstrong discuss their experiences in TWO WAY TEACHING and CROSS CULTURAL RELATIONSHIPS in the areas of education and beyond. Both concepts are part of the space between cultures or the 'cultural interface'. These thought-provoking concepts address specific needs in Aboriginal student education such as school engagement, retention, literacy, self-concept and identity, and offer practical strategies for educators, health professionals, companies and everyday Australians who also operate in this cultural interface. Cross Cultural Relationships require a commitment of spirit, ongoing dialogue and shared goals towards a more culturally reflective, relevant and inclusive agenda in places of learning for the benefit of all. Australian Aboriginal children's health and education are at the heart of the Nomad Two Worlds mission, and in this special Ustream event Shillinglaw and Armstong (herself a Gamilaraay woman) together explore the 'soft-tissue of reconciliation.'
We are prepping like mad for our first European opening...Berlin! Presented by world famous photographic gallery CAMERA WORK and timed in support of the first World Peace Festival, we are taking over the historic ALTE MUNZE building in the heart of Berlin, and are excited to premiere a slew of new collaborative art.
The private opening night reception will be hosted by longtime friends of Nomad Hugh Jackman, Deborra-Lee Jackman, Donna Karan, and Nomad Two Worlds creator and photographer Russell James. Several of our artists will also be in attendance.
The exhibition is open to the public from Aug. 20-28, 11am to 7pm. Check back here for a schedule of activities, including our educational series, "singing of the paintings" performances and special tours.
Keep up with the photos, preparations and the opening event in real time at our NOMAD TWO WORLDS FACEBOOK PAGE! And follow us on TWITTER here!
