Lismore Regional Gallery, Media Release, 8 March 2023
Hiromi Hotel: Rainbow by acclaimed Japanese Australian artist Hiromi Tango is a sensory art installation that takes inspiration from ‘the rainbow’, drawing on the colours and symbology of this natural wonder. The rainbow is a recurring theme in Tango’s work, however, it has particular significance for Lismore. Lismore is in the ‘Rainbow Region’ of Northern NSW and its ever-changing weather means residents enjoy the regular privilege of seeing these beautiful arches of colour. The significance of the rainbow to Lismore is so pertinent that the Auslan symbol for ‘Lismore’ is the sign ‘rainbow’, expressed through an upward arching motion of the hand. Importantly, the rainbow is a symbol for the LGBTIQA+ community, a key part of Lismore’s cultural identity.
One of the central works in the exhibition is a rainbow garden. Applying Tango’s fun and engaging techniques, visitors and the local community will be contributing to this collaborative piece, tucking in flowers, foliage and colourful twisted, abstract forms created from upcycled fabric and yarn. Some of the more specific iconographies in the work include the lilly pilly, the bleeding heart tree, echinacea and the she-oak.
People viewing Hiromi Hotel: Rainbow can experience it as they would any exhibition, or they can get actively involved. This gentle engagement and Tango’s artistic processes that encourage movement and uncomplicated human interaction, have known therapeutic benefits. Tango has done a lot of work with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and mental health researcher Dr Emma Burrows, applying theories about how colour, playful spaces, and movement can influence mood.
Artist facilitators are on hand to help lead activities every Thursday during the exhibition. Artist facilitator Sigrid Macdonald will lead activities in Auslan for the Deaf community.
Hiromi Tango is an old friend of Lismore, having been introduced through her partner, Craig Walsh (also a respected artist) who has family connections to the town. In 2014 Tango created Hiromi Tango: Remnant, a major project and exhibition at Lismore Regional Gallery inspired by subtropical rainforests in the region.
Tango and Walsh were among the first people to come to Lismore Regional Gallery to help after the flood inundated the gallery on 28 February 2022. They brought everything including a generator, gurneys, towels, food, hygiene essentials and emergency chargers for mobile phones. Tango even arranged for a friend to help care for gallery curator Kezia Geddes’ young children so that she could attend to the gallery’s artworks.
“After the flood, Hiromi was an obvious choice to help the Lismore community with its recovery,” says curator Kezia Geddes. “Our gallery is likely to be closed until early 2024, so we are in a pop-up space in the CBD while the gallery undergoes repair. Hiromi’s work can exist outside the traditional gallery space. Her emphasis is on inclusion and allowing people to spend slow time together and step into creativity, without the pressure of an outcome. Her work emphasises joy, while not shying away from the realities we face. We hope this exhibition will give people hope and a small reprieve from dealing with the ongoing impacts of the flood on our community.”
Hiromi Tango has had various experiences of natural disasters. In addition to her closeness to the recent Northern Rivers floods, she lost friends in the Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011 and was involved with a community art project following the Townsville floods in 2019. Sadly the 2020 Townsville Regional Gallery project was cut short by another disaster, Covid-19. Natural disasters that have taken place globally over recent years have weighed on Tango heavily. “I think what can I do? I hope that my work helps people in some small way. I try to observe them, care, and keep an open heart. I hope people find comfort in the work, by being in a safe and supported environment and among warmth and uplifting colour.”
Bio
Hiromi Tango is a revered Japanese-Australian artist based at Tweed Heads. Her work spans sculpture, drawing, photography, installation, and performance. Tango is dedicated to generating healing conversations through arts engagement. Reacting to an age in which the globalisation and virtualisation of communication are eclipsing human relationships, her practice is often collaborative, performative, and site-specific. Tango’s immersive installations comprise vibrant sculptural accumulations of donated objects, materials, and stories. They capture and create feelings, interactions, and healing connections that audiences carry with them long after they depart. Hiromi Tango’s work has been exhibited at major national art museums and regional galleries across Australia and international exhibitions in the United States, Belgium, Dubai, and the Asia Pacific. www.hiromitango.com
This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW, Recovery Grants for NSW Creatives. Lismore Regional Gallery is a creative initiative of Lismore City Council, and the pop-up space has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its art funding and advisory body.
Activities led by artist facilitators every Thursday. Artist facilitator Sigrid Macdonald will lead activities in Auslan for the Deaf community. Please check the gallery website for details.
Hiromi Hotel: Rainbow
Hiromi Tango
11 March-15 March 2023
Lismore Regional Gallery pop-up space
46 Magellan Street, Lismore
www.lismoregallery.org
