The Bush ’n’ Berry Indigenous Art Café, located at the
corner of Redfern and Renwick streets, Redfern, has just come under new
management. It is now a colourful dot on the community landscape, thanks to the
combined efforts of four local individuals: Dr Mick Asher (landlord), Adam Hill
(local artist whose incredible work is being displayed and whose walk-in studio
is located upstairs from the café), and new managers Colin and Sue Vincent.
All four are passionate about keeping Indigenous art alive
within the area.
Dr Asher, of Hungarian descent, whose influence has been
most instrumental in the community over the years, set about championing
Aboriginal art, primarily at Boom Malli, a co-operative of artists once based
in Leichhardt. The local GP, whose health practice was once located next door
to the café, wanted the building to be an Indigenous social one-stop shop.
Both Adam Hill and the Vincents are keeping true to Dr
Asher’s wishes by delivering not only original-tasting bush tucker, mighty fine
burgers, café food, and unforgettable Aroma coffee, but some of the finest
examples of modern and classic Indigenous art that the area has to offer
(alongside Gallery Gondwana in Danks Street).
There are colourful Indigenous symbolic creations on the
ubiquitous clay garden plant pots, on the sugar bowls, tea-pots, light-shades.
Each pattern tells a tale, and truly brightens up the café.
It could be viewed that the use of common household items is
poignant and iconoclastic: traditional Dreamtime art deserves to be recognised
within today’s society, and should have a more prominent place in the homes and
gardens of modern Australia
– a constant reminder of the true history of the soil we all walk on.
All meals average at $5.00 and art pieces are priced
individually.
Source:
South Sydney Herald August 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au