Just So Stories

UNSW

9781742237039 / November 2024/ $49.99

marramarra (a Wiradjuri word meaning to create, make or do) explores how contemporary Indigenous artists and their communities are revealing hidden histories and finding pathways to healing.

I don’t even pretend to be an artist though I do like ‘messing’ around with creative bits and pieces, so not only did this book fascinate me from the point of view of the creativity of these artists but the way in which they expressed their interpretations of their various histories was totally gobsmacking.

Just as so many others have done before them through spoken and written word, film, and other media. Here is just a selection of the artists showcased in this fabulous book: Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin (Pitjantjatjara, Arrernte, Australia), Judy Watson (Waanyi, Australia), Rebecca Belmore (Anishinaabe, Canada), Nicholas Galanin (Tlingit and Unangax̂, Alaska) and Pauliina Feodoroff (Skolt Sámi, Finland) and artworks from the Pacific, Turtle Island (North and Central America), Brazil, Finland, Taiwan, Afghanistan and beyond.

Clearly we see how globally widespread the history and tragedy of invasion and colonisation is, and, of course, how completely far-reaching the intergenerational impact and trauma is. I’ve spent the past few weeks browsing through this amazing gallery. From the protest duct tape and garbage reindeer-hunting garb, and performance art in Finland to a installation representing traditional offerings in Guatemala. From weaving in Arnhem Land to Onaman art in Canada, and so much more that will intrigue you and cause you to ponder solemnly.

This is a global gallery walk that will amaze you as well as open your eyes, and shock a few. Some will know the violent and bloody history of the frontier wars and massacres of our own First Nations people and, then there will be those who still refuse to believe it, but whichever you will see and feel the emotion and evidence from long years of history and truth telling.

It is a book that demands to be read and shared. For anyone in a secondary school you will absolutely need this for both History and Art Studies along with Ethics, Christian Studies or the equivalent in your program. The collaborators of these conversations are both highly qualified. Dr Brook Garru Andrew (Wiradjuri/Ngunnawal) is Enterprise Professor in Interdisciplinary Practice and Director, Reimagining Museums and Collections at University of Melbourne. He is also the Curator (First Peoples) at Guggenheim Abu Dhavbi. Dr Jessica Neath is a Research Fellow in the Wominjeka Djeembana Indigenous research lab at Monash University.

For anyone else, particularly those allied to the progress towards [re]conciliation and Treaty for Australian peoples, and seeing a comparison between our own country’s colonisation and others, I highly recommend it. A 5 ✊✊✊✊✊ rating for this wonderful book.