APT9 Exhibition Report

APT9 KIDS For APT9 Kids, the Gallery collaborated with exhibiting artists to develop eight specially commissioned artist projects for children and family audiences. More than 132 800 children visited APT9, representing over 18% of the exhibition’s overall attendance. APT9 Kids included drawing, hands-on and multimedia activities and large-scale installations. These projects highlighted key themes in APT9, including the preciousness of life and natural resources and the importance of community and storytelling. APT9 Kids featured works by Sadik Kwaish Alfraji (Iraq/The Netherlands), Pauline Kimei Anis (Autonomous Region of Bougainville), Gary Carsley (Australia/The Netherlands), Nona Garcia (The Philippines), Joyce Ho (Taiwan), Vincent Namatjira (Australia), Jakkai Siributr (Thailand) and Tungaru: The Kiribati Project, led by Jeff Smith (Aotearoa New Zealand). Children visiting APT9 and APT9 Kids were able to engage with the APT9 Kids mascot, a Bluestripe Snapper named Takabe. ‘Takabe’ is the Kiribati name for this species of fish. The character appeared on labels introducing children to key artworks in the exhibition and as part of a large-scale wall graphic in the Children’s Art Centre. ‘ Every time we come the kids take one thing away. Ultimately they understand that they too can be artists. ’ Visitor comment, APT9 Kids 24 APT9 KIDS