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[title]The Museums of History NSW has unveiled a trio of thought-provoking exhibitions by First Nations people, and they’re all on now. The exhibitions are being held across the different galleries of the small-but-jam-packed Museum of Sydney. Delve into the story of Australia’s foundation as told from First Nations' perspectives and each artist's connection to place.
Community life by the ocean is at the centre of Coomaditchie: The Art of Place, in which a series of paintings, ceramics, screen-prints, historical documents and short films are used to tell the story of the settlement of Coomaditchie, in the city of Wollongong. The stunning exhibition also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, which provides support and services to the community.
Explore the childhood memories of Sydney-based Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding through Cast in cast out, an exhibit inspired by growing up in ‘The Block’, an Aboriginal community in the inner Sydney suburb of Redfern. Ten Victorian-era ironwork panels (a feature of many Redfern houses) are on display at varying heights and in a multitude of forms, and aim to raise questions about the practice of colonial occupation in Sydney.
Finish up on the top level with a five-minute video installation Ngaya (I am) from Peter Waples-Crowe, who describes his creation as “A cut-and-paste, punked-up look at my Country”. Mixing historical photographs of the Snowy Mountains region with humorous elements of song, dance and theatrics, the short film comments on the ongoing presence of the Ngarigo people in the region despite erasure from Western colonisation.
Admission is free, and all three exhibitions are running until August.