Karratha exhibition commemorating stories from the 1946 Pilbara Strike unveiled

An exhibition commemorating and showcasing the stories from the 1946 Pilbara Strike has been unveiled in Karratha. Lasting Legacy: 75 year anniversary, was launched on Thursday at the Red Earth Arts Precinct and displays paintings by the late Nyaparu William Gardiner and photographs by Melbourne artist Tobias Titz. Nyapuru Gardiner was one of the Pilbara’s most important artists and his works displayed at the precinct are a first-hand account of the Pilbara strike and his work on pastoral stations throughout the Pilbara. The 1946 Pilbara Strike was the culmination of months of planning by Aboriginal leaders, beginning on May 1, just before shearing season in protest of poor working conditions and lack of pay. The strike lasted for three years and was a trailblazer which paved the way for Aboriginal rights. Photographs by Mr Titz are from time spent collaborating with Indigenous communities in the Pilbara and hearing their experiences of the strike and how it changed or inspired them. “It’s educational, and beautiful paintings and personal stories from people from the area, and I think it’s very important to remember the strike, because it was such a historic event,” Mr Titz said. “I was and still am very impressed by the resilience and the determination of the strikers and also they were on strike for three years, endured big hardships and had to find a means to survive. “I’m just amazed by the dignity, resilience and the determination by those strikers.” Mr Titz said one of his favourite pieces on display was a photograph of Teddy Ellen. “He has since passed away and I feel very privileged to have met him and to be able to sit down and take photographs of him and hear the story, to get comments from him, from somebody who actually remembers the strike,” he said.