From Terra Nullius to Beloved Companion
Reimagining Land in Australia

Reflections on the ‘Mining CSG’ Exhibition

Reflections on the ‘Mining CSG’ Exhibition

The Breakaways Photo: Chris Dalton So far I’ve questioned whether we regard Land in Australia in terms of an object or a relationship, how we conceptualise Land, the myth of policy neutrality, values that shape environmental policy, the impact of ‘experiencing’ Land, and what responsibilities we have towards Land. With all these inter-related questions tumbling around inside my head, I decided to give them some structure by putting pen to paper. The result is my book ‘From T

Hall #6
Are we neighbours?

Hall #6 Are we neighbours?

So here I am, standing in the next hall, getting even more confused. For I’m hearing voices in my head. One Voice, at least: that of Land. An artwork in this hall sets me thinking; it’s a painting of the parable of the Good Samaritan, and I can’t help but see Land as the traveller, set upon by thieves – mining corporations, governments, land developers, farmers, housing commissions and spiritual groupies – who take and take what they want and then move on, sometimes leavin

Hall #5
Spirit Journey

Hall #5 Spirit Journey

This hall takes me down memory lane, on a journey into the Red Heart of Australia. The Spirit Journey I made in 2015. Not an ordinary journey, but one which gave me unexpected experiences of Land: flooding rains in the middle of a hot and arid country the sound of water coursing through the veins of red mulga trees featureless gibber plains disappearing into the Never Never bogged cars later freed from Land’s embrace warm hot springs refreshing mud-stained and weary travell

Hall #4
How religion shapes our attitude to Land

Hall #4 How religion shapes our attitude to Land

On entering this hall I’m immediately struck by a huge artwork, describing the naming of Australia in religious terms. Today we talk about the Great South-land of the Holy Spirit. Geoff Bullock has even written a song about it. But on the opposite wall I read what early European explorers said about the land, who used terms such as ‘barren’, ‘desolate’, ‘god-forsaken’, ‘totally unsuited for occupation or habitation’ and ‘nothing at all of value’. What a contrast! Which des