Indigenous Art Program

>> NARRATOR: Join us for the Indigenous Art Program 2023: 'Reflections'.

Maiwar, by Tai Bobongie, Olkola nation. To the traditional owners and the custodians of this country, some of the river is known as Maiwar. Maiwar invites us to look at the hidden layers of history in places that we know and are very familiar with. Many of these places in Brisbane have layered history that is not always visible on the surface.

Way of the Beizam, by Talia Saylor, Manbarrah and Erub nation. Way of the Beizam is talking about sharks and the relationship between the artist’s connection to water and salt- water animals but also salt water being here in the city in the river. And the sharks that are here in Brisbane also can be found in the artist’s traditional homelands – Palm Island and also in the Torres Straits.

This is Brisbane by Lewis James, Yidnji and Meriam nation. This is Brisbane is a collection of photos that talk about Brisbane and give us time to reflect on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community within Brisbane and also Brisbane that we know. So in This is Brisbane, you’ll also see the Aboriginal flag repeated, showing the importance of place in Brisbane, one of these places being Musgrave Park – a very important place for the traditional owners and also all of Brisbane’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Family Connections by Kylie Hill, Kalkadoon and Waanyi nations. In this artwork, we see the family connections through the turtle system. Certain animals, certain sea life belong to certain families. Together, they make one artwork but they both mirror image just like the reflections in the water.

Reflections by Nicole Williams, Kuku Djangan and Ugar nations. Reflections is a two-chapter vitrine space that shows mixed media art. Nicole also uses recycled items in her artwork process which creates more conversation about what is happening within her artwork. Within this artwork, there is hidden poetry. If you take the time to look and read, there is hidden knowledge, like all Aboriginal art.

Whichway the Old Ways by Dean Tyson, Gurang and Quandamooka nations. This artwork was created in respect and to honour the traditional owners of Brisbane City. The white cross’s with the red dots talks about some of these places that had massacres, poisonings, some of the bad history of Brisbane whilst highlighting all the beauty of this country that you can see in the yellow dots, residential areas, ceremonial areas. All of this together creates the Brisbane city that we know from the ancient times until the present time now and it creates conversation.

River Dreaming, by Ben Barker, Woorimi nation. River Dreaming – sometimes we think of dreaming at night-time but there’s also another terminology for Aboriginal artists which can correlate to the word ‘story’ or ‘stories’, so when we look at River Dreaming, it’s the story within the river. This artwork talks about the river itself as an entity, as an energy, as a living life force and it sustains life within.

Greater Brisbane, 1798 by Brett Leavy, Kooma nation. Greater Brisbane 1798’s interactive map that shows us time and place in 1798 of Aboriginal Brisbane. This artwork invites us to look at Brisbane through another lens utilising stories and history in digital spaces in a digital time.

Many Lands, by Paula Dewis, Wuthathi and Boigulaig nation. Many Lands show us the many connections that we have through our bloodlines. Different family lines of the artist also connect them to different places of country which we can see in the artwork. There is many styles of artwork in this which also correlates to the many lands that we can find throughout the artist’s bloodlines.

River of Life, by Luke Mallie, Kuku-Yalanji and Moa nation. River of Life is a collection that goes from black and white contrast artwork to vibrant, colourful artwork that talks about pre-colonisation and also, in the present time now, our culture surviving but also thriving. The projection at Howard Smith Wharves can be seen from afar and draws you in to take in the life of the river. This artwork talks about the river of life, but also brings life to the river and place.