Shadow Spirit is an artistic showcase – a microcosm of what is impressive and meaningful about indigenous culture. It is an eye and ear pleasing experience, which uses a variety of forms to bring to life 60,000 years of rich heritage and tradition. I speak of projections, artwork, sculpture, animation, video, music and more. Curated by Kimberley…
Trailblazing indigenous artist and outspoken provocateur Richard Bell is arguably one of our most important artists whose work has been exhibited internationally. But he is also confrontational and unapologetic in his opinions about Australia’s treatment of its First Nations people, and he also bemoans the fact that traditional Aboriginal art work and paintings have now…
Knowing where we came from and understanding what shaped the lives of our descendants can be confronting. In the context of Indigenous Australians, whose history stretches back eons, understanding is even more complex as it involves the disturbing events of post-European settlement. One woman’s story of discovery and understanding is told in A Letter for…
The treatment of indigenous Australians and their remains is in the spotlight in The Return. Inspired by Yorta Yorta man Jason Tamiru’s experiences as a repatriation worker, Torres Strait Islander playwright John Harvey recounts the dark history of Australia. It concerns grave robbers and “exotic” trophies of antiquity, being the bones of men, women and children. They…
Early into Meyne Wyatt’s semi-autographical play City of Gold, feisty activist Carina (Shari Sebbens) speaks at a press conference following a protest in Kalgoorlie, condemning vigilantism and demanding justice. We need to wake up and listen in order to heal, she tells the unseen media and also the show’s audience. It’s a call to attention…
For twenty-five years Stephen Page has been the creative director of Sydney’s Bangarra Dance Company, creating some innovative works that often explore complex indigenous themes and culture. He has also choreographed a number of films such as Bran Nue Dae and The Sapphires. He made his film directorial debut with Sand, one of the seventeen…
This is the second documentary in as many weeks to hit our screens exploring an indigenous community and the way in which their traditions and culture have been affected by the white man’s ways. We recently had David Gulpilil take us to his home town of Ramingining in the Northern Territory for the revealing and…
