New photographic exhibition to capture surprising connections

A picture says a thousand words but a look through the lens at Queensland Museum’s new photographic exhibition, This is my heritage, reveals much more. 

This is my heritage opened today to coincide with the Statewide launch of NAIDOC, a week-long event celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt said the This is my heritage exhibition was a stimulating way to recognise Queensland’s indigenous peoples as the primary guardians and knowledge holders of their cultural heritage.

“How we tell these ancient stories in a modern context is important to all Queenslanders as we learn more about how the ancient fabric of Indigenous culture is woven into the lands and seas we now call Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

“This exhibition promotes the significance of our Indigenous cultural heritage and bestows a rich legacy for the benefit of future generations to come.

“We are very excited to be partnering with the Queensland Museum, as a place of learning and discovery that enables us to preserve and celebrate the knowledge and culture of our first peoples.”

Featuring 12 portraits of the Queensland Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander community and embracing objects from the museum’s Aboriginal artefacts collection, This is my heritage captures spiritual links and surprising connections.

Leonard Donoghue, a performing arts student from Kuranda who features in the exhibition, says his bond with an artefact from the museum’s anthropology collection is a spiritual one.

“I got interested in the rainforest shield because I am from the rainforest. After that I rang my grandfather and asked what types of designs our people would put on shields,” Mr Donoghue said.

“He told me that it would usually be triangular designs and diamond designs. So by choosing this (rainforest shield) it just shows a spiritual connection with the artefact itself.”

A film featuring Leonard and the stories of other exhibited artists is part of the showcase.

“This exhibition presents a series of personal recollections from members of our arts community,” said Queensland Museum Network Director and CEO Suzanne Miller.

“The connection the artists have to these objects are really extraordinary.

“Through the kulaps (seed pod rattles) of the Torres Strait, a basket from Stradbroke Island, a shield from the rainforest, and photographs of family members from Cherbourg and beyond, we are better able to understand the deeply significant bonds and personal stories that exist between individuals and objects and the role the museum can play in connecting people to their cultural heritage.”

This partnership is exemplified by the support of the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, which initiated and sponsored the project, and by the on-going mutual respect engendered between the Museum and Indigenous communities across the State.

The exhibition has been developed by Queensland Museum, in collaboration with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.

The Queensland Museum and Sciencentre open daily from 9:30am to 5pm except Good Friday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Entry to This is my heritage is free, for more information visit www.qm.qld.gov.au

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