The Australian National Maritime Museum today announced a series of exhibitions and a new digital experience for showcasing First Nations storytelling which connects with the creation of a multipurpose exhibition space. The aim of all activities is to highlight and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous voices.
Matt Poll, Manager of Indigenous Programs says, 'Family is integral to Australian First Nations communities and with the 2023 NAIDOC theme of 'for our elders', the museum's programs present events and in-gallery experiences designed to be accommodating of the wisdom, resilience and authority of First Nations knowledge as told through the stories of both Australia's saltwater and freshwater histories.'
'The 2023 program includes storytelling through three exhibitions which are underpinned by an exciting digital experience through the museum's collections, a community engagement program and digital outreach space which elevates First Nations voices.'
'We are so excited to have such a full program of activities in this important year, said Daryl Karp, Director and CEO of the museum.
'Museums are a trusted place for conversations and dialogues to occur and in this year of the national conversation surrounding the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Voice to Parliament, creating a space for dialogue is an important factor in designing the directions of the museum's exhibitions and public programming.'
Serving Country – Portraits of Indigenous servicemen and women in the Australian Navy by Belinda Mason
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women have made a significant contribution to the defence of the nation through their service with the armed forces, civilian organisations such as the Women's Land Army or worked in war time industries. Many have served and continue to serve their country with great honour and pride in a range of operations, war, humanitarian, disaster relief, peacekeeping, border protection and emergency defence assistance.
Serving Country invites visitors to discover these less known stories and include their inspiring details of courage and mateship in our national story. Sharing stories plays a vital and healing role in Australian First Nations culture. Serving Country is the creative work of Sydney-based human rights social documentarian Belinda Mason and artist Dieter Knierim.
A selection of photographic portraits by acclaimed Human Rights social documentarian Belinda Mason highlights these servicemen and women.
Saltwater Cloud - digital storytelling
Saltwater Cloud is an online experience which showcases First Nations storytelling related to exhibitions, the museum's community focused collections research and public programs.
Saltwater Cloud showcases the museum's engagement projects with more than 17 language regions across Australia represented across the museum's permanent exhibition spaces.
www.sea.museum/saltwater-cloud
Expansion of our First Nations gallery spaces – Bamal (earth) & Badu (waters)
We will be expanding our First Nations gallery space the Eora Gallery to create two spaces - Bamal (earth) & Badu (waters). These are the museum's dedicated spaces to showcase the commitment to First Nations storytelling. The galleries create opportunities for artists, performers, and community representatives to speak from the heart as well as a versatile digital exhibition screen for use in the museum's Indigenous programs national outreach.
In this year of the national conversation surrounding 'Voice to Parliament' – a space for dialogue is crucial. They are a participatory and reflective place to meet and share ideas leading to greater awareness and understanding of First Nations stories and the connection to and importance of Sea Country
Mana and Bäru: The Sea Country of Guykuda Munungurr – Yolŋu sculptor solo exhibition – Badu Gallery
2023 is the 15th anniversary of the Yolŋu community's successful native sea title claim in 2008. Yolŋu sculptor Guykuda Munungurr presents a powerful demonstration of ancestral and totemic affiliations of marine life to family in the Yirrkala region. The exhibition involves a three-dimensional installation space of cultural knowledges extending beneath the surface of the ocean.
Many of the fish, sharks and crocodile that are represented in the work of Guykuda Munungurr are depicted in the museum's internationally significant saltwater bark paintings. Protecting Sea Country is an important message aligned with the museum's commitment to the UN Ocean Decade.
For our Elders - Bamal Gallery - An active space for community voices
The Bamal yarning space is programmed as a dynamic event space, encouraging First nations participation in the museum's education program and as a stage for community storytellers to activate the space through the public programs.
The museum aims to deepen connections with Community onsite through a dedicated First Nations-led, participatory space for the testing and sharing of ideas. The Bamal immersive space is a two-way interface which will also operate as a location for the museum to undertake collections engagement via digital experiences and a virtual meeting space with remote art centres as well as digital incursions with school groups via zoom/teams.
