Lost directions / Sarah McConnell
- Bib ID:
- 8177505
- Format:
- Book
- Author:
- McConnell, Sarah, artist
- Description:
-
- [Northcote, Vic.] : Sarah McConnell, 2019
- 10 unnumbered leaves (concertina folded) : illustrations ; 195 x 31 cm (concertina folded to 31 x 21 cm)
- Summary:
-
Artist book, hand-coloured sugarlift, aquatint and etching, on Arches Velin 300 gsm, monotype covers, single-sided throw-out accordion-fold structure (attached to upper and lower boards), with six relief plates inspired by the Djab Wurrung Protection Embassy and their work connecting people to culture and protecting sacred land from the ongoing genocide of white Australia (all profits from the sale of this book go to this cause). The artist writes: "On March 19th, 2019, police moved into the central protest camp out at Djab Wurrung, just outside of Ararat, where the Traditional Owners had been holding their ground for the past 11 months. Major Roads Projects Victoria have plans to demolish hundreds of sacred scar trees along a proposed new route for the duplication of the Western highway, saving commuters just two minutes and desecrating the ancient, culturally significant sacred trees and lands of the Djab Wurrung people. Middle camp is home to the Directions Tree, a tree that was planted with the placenta of a newborn Aboriginal child and grows as the child grows, giving guidance and advice in times of uncertainty. On that day, over 100 protesters showed up on country, ready to stand in the way of eviction alongside the traditional owners. Lost Directions is my own account as a white settler and an ally, based on photos I took at camp that day."
Image descriptions by the artist: "1. Australia is a crime. The road leading to middle camp packed with cars. This hastily spray painted, red road sign seemed to encapsulate the anger and determination building on site, as a place of continued violence towards Aboriginal people. 2. Police confront Aunty Sandra. In the centre of this image is Djab Wurrung elder, Aunty Sandra, sitting defiantly in a deck chair in the centre of the road. A police officer asks her to move on, but she's not going anywhere. Allies stand around and behind her in support. Over 40 police are gathering further down the road. 3. The Directions Tree. Wrapped in the Aboriginal flag, the Directions Tree is patterned with ancient snaking bark, signifying the changing path of the future and all of its possibilities. As the central image of the book, I wanted it to stand out as something much more significant and timeless than the events occurring around it. 4. Zellanach chanting. At 2pm the police still haven't been able to escort machinery onto the land, and with so many protesters they decide to retreat. 5. Zellanach leads the charge, pushing them back, while singing, dancing and chanting fiercely in language, calling on the spirits of the ancestors to protect this land and its people. 6. Escorting the police. Victorious for now, the supporters follow in the wake of the departing police, escorting them off country. The Directions Tree is safe for the moment while lawyers continue to try and get legal protections in court."
- Biography/History:
-
Sarah McConnell is a Melbourne based artist working predominantly in painting and drawing on paper. She is a member of 5 Press, an art collective formed to explore the medium of the artist book and the print, particularly focusing on handmade forms and traditional techniques. As a committed environmentalist, her work addresses issues around humanity's impact on nature and the social and environmental consequences of our actions.
- Notes:
-
- Limited edition of 5 copies.
- National Library of Australia's copy is no. 4/5, signed and dated by the artist.
- The 5 Press tally mark symbol of four strokes and a diagonal slash appears in the colophon.
- Subject:
-
- Trees -- Pictorial works
- Artists' books -- Victoria -- Melbourne -- Specimens
- Prints, Australian -- Victoria -- Melbourne -- Specimens
- Etching -- 21st century -- Victoria -- Melbourne -- Specimens
- Aquatint -- 21st century -- Victoria -- Melbourne -- Specimens
- Djabwurrung / Dyabwurung people (S26) (Vic SJ54-08)
- Sites - Scarred trees
- Sites - Sacred sites
- Sites - Ceremonial grounds
- Ararat (W Vic SJ54-08)
- Australian
- Other authors/contributors:
- 5 Press, issuing body
- Exhibited:
- Melbourne Art Book Fair, National Gallery of Victoria, 15-17 March 2019.
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Published
- Publication date:
- 2019
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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