Gavin Pearce (Braddon, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Morrison government is committed to helping artists promote their local stories to local audiences in regional and rural areas right across the north-west, the west coast and King Island in Tasmania. Recently, I had the great privilege of visiting the Burnie arts gallery to view the vibrant paper on skin exhibition—that's right, paper on skin. This amazing exhibition had been supported by our federal government through our Regional Arts Fund. Paper on skin 2020 is a display of wearable art. Exhibitors have sent their art from all over Australia, Europe, New Zealand and the US to be part of the display. Given the enormous challenges of transport during the past six months, I commend Lyndal Thorne, the vice-president of the Burnie Arts Council, and her team for their resilience and persistence in making the project a reality.

In mid-March, with the support and trust of their partners, the artists and the dedicated organisational committee, they forged ahead to make the decision go viral. In Lyndal's words: 'It has been worth it. From a purely artistic perspective, the standard of the works received has been outstanding'—I can attest to this—'generating awe, inspiration and a very difficult task for our judges. The pandemic is clearly not an impediment to the great ability of our finalists.' I wish everyone on the project all the best for tomorrow's screening of paper on skin the film, out tomorrow.

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