Mute Relics and Bedevilled Creatures – Constructing an Antipodean Curio Cabinet
1 - 31 May 2009
Curated in celebration of Reconciliation Week 2009, Mute Relics and Bedevilled Creatures will feature the work of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists who re-interpret the concept of the curio (curiosity) cabinet and histories of museum collection and display practices. The exhibition seeks to question the ‘muteness’ of these displays and the idea of memory in objects. An important sub-text of this project is the historical practice of collecting and displaying Indigenous artefacts and remains in curio cabinets and natural history museums.
Artists include: Julie Gough, Denise Higgins, Sam Leach, Brian McKinnon, Charlie O, Uncle Herb Patten, Kate Rohde, Gary Smith and Sharon West.
Curated by Sharon West, Edwina Bartlem and Brian McKinnon.
Official opening:
6 pm – 8 pm, Thursday 30 April 2009
Officially opened by Mayor of Moreland, Cr Lambros Tapinos and Brett Ahmat,
Repatriation Manager, Melbourne Museum. Welcome to Country by Ian Hunter.
