I often wondered why it is all so hard? what am I missing?  The answer appears to be the Murri terms of reference that form the framework of my understanding and being.  It was so aptly explained to me by my Aunty Lilla Watson and Aunty Christine Peacock that, it is not that I am wrong in my understanding or the interpolation of my daily transactions within this non-Indigenous world…but it is where I fall into the mistake of trying to react and function within “white – terms” of reference…..therefore I experience something similar to the psychological manifestation of a square peg into a round hole.

This caused me to think back over my 27 years of life and think about the times that this situation of antagonism has occurred…funnily enough I started to play them back over in my mind, but this time I center myself within MY terms of reference! Murri terms of reference!  The outcomes that I envisage are very different, they made sense, they worked!  So from this day on I shall remember this …even if it means tattooing it onto the back of my hand.  I wonder have any other Murri’s out there have had this same experience?

Thanks Aunties, I love you, it is because of you that I know who am and I can face anything that is in front of me. x x

At first this was amusing to me, I thought “why would anyone listen to me?” “what do I have to say?”, I was then quickly reminded that I am actually a few weeks off completing a degree in Aboriginal art.  I realise that despite the three years I have spent studying Art: that somehow? I have stupidly been taking the notion for granted that: people just understand that Aboriginal art is bound by protocol both contemporary and traditional or even art for that matter.  So I guess that is why I had the initial shock to the system after being asked to talk.

So where to start?  It seemed that really I needed to start at the beginning – No not the Dreamtime, well almost, it made sense in my mind to tell them about Aboriginal Protocol – identifying yourself and your mob; acknowledgment of country and it’s people etc. etc.  When I said this to the group their expresions were mostly a look of confusion, when I talked about the Aboriginal Language map of Australia there was even more puzzlement. But I guess what I really hoped that they got out of it is you can’t just see the art as “gee that’s beautiful”.  Teaching Aborignal art to children is but one of the best opportunities to educate this country about who Aborignal people are, and the shared history that we have with non-Indigenous Australians.

So Wow, from this experience it made me reconsider: that it is good and all to study and write assignments about the contemporary Australia we live in or the Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations of our country; but when you are faced with something like this it really brings it all home.  Overall I felt that the the hour was sucessful: I gave them the microwave version of Aboriginal Protocols and Art; then Karis and Keiren taught them a few tecqniqes and tricks to wow thier short people and teach them of the Aboriginal art tradition.

So I now hold a certificate and a letter of thanks from the Bramble Bay Primary School Cluster; so for me this was a good experience.

It made me think it made them think (I hope) mabey if you read this it will make you think.

Wadamoolli…til next time.

Me Yarning with Mayrah

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry that I have been ignoring you, I haven’t visited you in such a long time. I hope that you will forgive me.  I promise to visit you every week from now on.

So maybe by way of apology I can tell you what I have been doing since I have last seen you:

1. I went to the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land NT

- It was so deadly, I even found out that I have
relatives there! Well I suppose that really proves it
I can’t escape Watson’s they are everywhere!

2. I have been researching, learning and writing

- about: Curatorship, Tracey Moffat, Destiny Deacon, Semiotics and  How to start a successful Aboriginal Business.

3. I have had a a Birthday yeah I am 27 years old!

4. I went to the  Mayrah Dreise exhibition she is a Too Deadly Titta:

- She has created one of the most visually engaging, intellectually satisfying and relevant artwork that I have had the pleasure of viewing and not to mention it is just beautiful.

Well I  hope this makes you feel better, and remember that I love you Blog.

X x X Miara.

So well its 2009 – I am right now in the middle of finding my artistic-self.  At the end of this semester I will be participating in my very first exhibition!  Exciting and scary.  I must pick an artistic: identity/a discipline/an ideology…….something, anything.  so here I go! wish me luck and or send me an inspiration invitation!