Cj Fraser-Bell Exhibition and Zine Launch at the Northern Territory Library

Last night Northern Territory’s multi-disciplinary artist Cj Fraser-Bell unveiled original works and launched two zines to conclude the 2018 Creative in Residence program at the Northern Territory Library.

Queer Territory concludes the residency program for Cj and showcase a visual interpretation, exploring ideas through countless Library sources that were used as inspiration for the works.

"The two zines I've launched are so different from one another. One is this sort of insular look at the thoughts behind or distractions from the process of art making. The other is the thing that got made. It's two sides to a coin which really is what the public at the Library have seen during my residency, me in the process of making, as well as what gets produced," Cj Fraser-Bell said.

Cj Fraser-Bell’s residency included presenting zine-making workshops and supporting participants in the creative production of their own zines. A second component of Cj’s residency involved collaborating with local artist Kelly Beneforti to create a performance piece, exploring the Library’s physical space, reinterpreting familiar and unfamiliar spaces in a unique way.

The Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Senior Director Northern Territory Library and Archives, Patrick Gregory, said the Library enjoyed the diverse ideas and creative projects Cj has brought to the Library through the Arts NT Creative in Residence Program.

“The residency offered a remarkable opportunity, enabling Cj to explore, interpret and creatively respond to the Library collections and physical spaces,” Mr Gregory said.

“Cj’s exploration of the Library was incredibly energising. Her regular presence in the Library where she researched, drew, wrote, painted, collaged, danced and connected with Library visitors is a terrific example of how the Library can be used.”

The Creative in Residence program has been a success in providing opportunities for Northern Territory artists to creatively activate and interpret the collections to produce new art works and add to the collections.

The Queer Territory exhibition is on now until Sunday 7 April 2019.