Contemporary adaptations and future rituals in Cairns
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In an eclectic grouping of renowned creatives at Cairns Art Gallery, ‘Ritual: The past in the present’ features work by contemporary Indigenous art stalwarts alongside artistic practices crisscrossing the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting myriad First Nations cultures from New Zealand to Taiwan. Each of the 125 works encapsulates contemporary adaptations, alongside documentation of old ways, of both religious and practical rituals.
The exhibition is a visual treat, spanning two gallery floors. Great swathes of tapestry and weaving, painting, sculptural installation, photography and film (as well as soundscapes) create a complex and immersive experience which offers significant commentary on the present, insights into the past and glimpses of the future (in terms of evolving cultures).
Marking the eons of human cultural and societal evolution, meaningful rituals to the artists are explored with new mediums. Or, in the case of Janet Fieldhouse’s ceramic and woven works, they are transferred to new modes of expression. Fieldhouse’s sculptures broach subjects traditionally explored in dance, re-framing the stories told via the artefacts themselves: artefacts which would have been incorporated as instruments, props or dress. Important is this display, highlighting the enveloping qualities of traditional dance and storytelling as a holistic expression of artistry and lore.
Pieces by Brian Robinson and Heather Koowootha are reminiscent of old-time anthropological and botanical fieldnotes and sketches. Their detailed drawings and watercolours tell of custom, design, ecology and the preparation of food and instruments – an ingenious presentation of artefacts and native plants in a way that the earlier studies of Joseph Banks, in hindsight, ought to have (but could never have) included.
One key film, by Dr Christian Thompson AO, breaks away from his usual tableau photography to present an emotive and moving triptych (Berceuse, 2017), in which he chants, sings and evokes the spirit of his Bidjara ancestry. The film is in fine company with several others – further emphasising the encroachment of new media in reimagining old ceremonies, habits and meditations.
‘Ritual: The past in the present’ rethinks the space for collaborative showings of traditional and traditionally inspired contemporary works by Australia’s Indigenous artists and their Asia-Pacific counterparts – all of whom form the rich tapestry of Australia’s evolving postcolonial culture and, through creative exchange, forge the rituals of the future.
Jack Wilkie-Jans, Cairns
Curated by Julietta Park, Teho Ropeyarn and Kylie Burke and presented in partnership with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), ‘Ritual: The past in the present’ is on display at Cairns Art Gallery until 22 August 2021. The exhibition can be toured virtually online. Jack Wilkie-Jans is an artist, writer and Marketing and Communications Manager of CIAF.
