A new Indigenous exhibition exploring the importance of line and lineage when telling Indigenous stories open at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum on Thursday.
Curated by the head of Indigenous engagement and strategy at the Powerhouse Museum, Marcus Hughes, and designed by Murri man and award-winning artist, Jacob Nash, Linear looks at 60,000 years of Indigenous culture, songlines and stories.
"It was inspired by a map that David Mowaljarlai did of songlines across Country, across all of Australia. And for him it was about how we are all connected in some way, and that then made us consider the ways in which we pass on knowledge," said Mr Hughes.
"[And] for our mob it is about the clarity of understanding our histories and being inspired by the incredible work that has been done by our ancestors... and it is also about sharing that knowledge with non-Indigenous communities."
Mr Hughes said the exhibition holds something for everyone and includes a range of exhibits varying from "augmented reality through to sitting places where you can just be".
The artists, including photographer, Wayne Quilliam, explore their personal understanding of culture through a range of works.
Trans-disciplinary artist, Nicole Monks, a woman of Yamatji, Wajarri, Dutch and English descent, was inspired by the campfire as a meeting place for women to weave, cook and pass down stories - and recreated that scene for the exhibition.
Mr Nash said Linear is here to “guide us, teach us and let the objects tell our stories”.
One trans-disciplinary artist, Nicole Monks, was inspired by the campfire as a meeting place for women to weave, cook and to pass down stories. Source: Supplied
“At the core of this exhibition is a visual map composed of lines that link Australia together, culturally, spiritually and physically,” Mr Nash said.
“These lines hold meaning beyond a mark on a page. The idea that a line can hold such significance was the starting point for the design of Linear and it has driven the visual language of the exhibition.”
The exhibition will run until June 30 2020.
