Exhibitions celebrate anniversary of landmark native title decision
Published on 25 October 2022
The High Court’s landmark Mabo decision 30 years ago has served as the catalyst for three exhibitions to be launched at Rockhampton Museum of Art this week.
While celebrating the decision, the exhibitions each look at different aspects of native title, including truth telling, the relationships of Indigenous people to their land and the legacy of the man behind the Native Title Act, Eddie Koiki Mabo, and his family.
Rockhampton Regional Council Communities and Heritage spokesperson Cr Drew Wickerson said that the exhibitions provided a fascinating insight into some of the stories behind the headlines.
“While those who were around at the time will remember the High Court Decision and the headlines it created, these exhibitions delve much more deeply looking at some of the personal stories and recollections of those involved and what it means to them.
“These exhibitions celebrate not only the decision but what it means to Indigenous people, the strong bonds they have with their land and the spirit of reconciliation which followed,” he said.
The exhibitions are:
Collection Focus: The Colour of Country
Co-curated by Dr Melinda Mann and Mario Mabo
The Colour of Country reimagines the Rockhampton Museum of Art Collection to illuminate the relationships between Country and Indigenous people. This exhibition is curated to represent the cultural knowledge behind the movements and milestones across Australian political and legal history, namely the Gurindiji Strike and the Wik and Mabo decisions. These works depict the vibrancy of spiritual and physical beings of Country both ancient and present.
Until 15 January 2023
Legacy: Reflections on Mabo
Co-curated by Gail Mabo, Jonathan McBurnie and Kellie Williams
Bringing together artworks by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in the spirit of reconciliation, this exhibition celebrates the man behind the nation’s ground-breaking Native Title Act, Eddie Koiki Mabo (1936-1992). Mabo’s life, politics, activism and ongoing legacy are the inspiration for a broad range of sculptures, prints, installations and drawings from artists across Australia.
Legacy: Reflections on Mabo is a travelling exhibition presented by Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts and toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland. It has been generously assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia Program and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments. It is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
Until 29 January 2023
Gail Mabo: House of Cards
Gail Mabo mines her personal and emotional archive to share a testament to the lives of her parents, Eddie Koiki Mabo and Bonita Mabo, as well as her own life in all its fragility. Mabo presents life-sized impressions of their respective childhood homes and laborious detail.
A travelling exhibition presented by Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts.
Until 19 February 2023
The exhibitions will run concurrently at Rockhampton Museum of Art until early 2023. Entry to Rockhampton Museum of Art is free. More information: www.rmoa.com.au
Rockhampton Museum of Art is owned and operated by Rockhampton Regional Council.
IMAGES:
1. Gail Mabo, House of Cards 2021 (in situ), Image courtesy Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts.
2. Howard Butler (b. 1961) Budburra 2012, linocut on rice paper, ed. 2/10, 24.2 x 16.9 cm. Rockhampton Museum of Art. Gift of the Capricornia Printmakers Collective 2013
3. Arone Meeks, Mabo 25 & Big Wet Community (detail) 2018, mixed media 183.2 x 61.2cm. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Carl Warner.