archived 1 September 2018.
Rites of Friendship (Ritual de Amizade)
This painting was created at the 1999 AFSAAP Conference held in Perth, at the University of Western Australia, and remains in the care of Arif and Audrey Satar in Fremantle, Western Australia.
A full description of the painting and its story can be found here.
Prior to his death, Malangatana proposed to sell Rites of Friendship, and to use the proceeds to strengthen African/Australian links still further. They will be divided among cultural exchange activities between Australia and Mozambique, in particular a visit by an Aboriginal artist to Mozambique; the Matalana Cultural Centre in Mozambique. He wanted the work to find a permanent home in Australia.
“As we enter the new millennium, issues of the environment and the relationship between people and country will be crucial ones. Aboriginal and African artists have been most perceptive in raising awareness of these issues and in examining the necessity for a global change to a more holistic way of thinking, living and being.” Sally Morgan, Director, The Centre for Indigenous History and the Arts, University of Western Australia, 1999
“Our communities on either side of the Indian Ocean are becoming more deeply engaged in defining their sense of place and the work of Indigenous artists helps us to know ourselves in new ways. They are shaping and refining our societies, reinforcing our values of multiculturalism and anti-racism.” Professor Deryck Schreuder, Vice Chancellor, The University of Western, Australia, 1999.