FORM

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The construction of the Canning Stock Route & its impact on Aboriginal people:

Forged by Alfred Canning in 1906, the Stock Route was created in the early days of the pastoral industry as a means to drive cattle from the stations of the Kimberley to markets in the south. It intersects the countries of nine Aboriginal language groups and runs nearly a third of the length of Western Australia.

The implementation of the Canning Stock Route dramatically transformed the lives of Aboriginal people and influenced the personal histories and creative journeys of some of Australia’s most senior and respected artists. Many of these artists - including Eubena Nampitjin, Jan Billycan, Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Spider Snell and Patrick Olodoodi Tjungurrayi – are part of the group of 60 who returned to the Canning Stock Route as part of the CSR Project ‘back to country’ journey in July-August 2007.

A nexus of cultures & history
The CSR embodies the complex meeting of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures in the arid expanses of the Great Sandy, Little Sandy and Gibson deserts. It was along the Canning Stock Route that many Aboriginal people first came into contact with Europeans, and was the site of massacres, murder and weapons testing. This led to the displacement of many peoples from their traditional lands, either by removal or via employment in the pastoral industry. The impact of this movement across immense tracts of desert has led to remarkable interconnections between language groups across the huge distances of the Midwest, Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia.

Pre-Canning Stock Route: Aboriginal significance of the land
Before Alfred Canning  and other European influences, the country on which the Stock Route was carved, was critically significant to Aboriginal peoples for a multitude of cultural, social and environmental purposes. Aboriginal communities see the Route as part of the vast cosmologies interlaced across the desert, arising from the land and waters upon which the Canning Stock Route was superimposed, which encompasses traditional Law – governing all aspects of Aboriginal life.

The CSR Project will also focus on contemporary views and experiences of Aboriginal peoples today, providing a lens as to how Aboriginal people see the history of the region.

THE NEXT STAGE:

The back-to-country trips in 2007/8 along the Stock Route with camps along the original wells sunk by Canning’s team - and the associated artist workshops - were extremely successful and saw the creation of extraordinary artworks, photographs and film by both established and emerging Aboriginal artists.

The Emerging Curators and Multimedia trainees also returned to country and were actively involved in the workshops and collation of cultural and historic material.

Getting ready for launch
A critical content development phase of the CSR Project is now underway with the curatorial and production teams organising an extensive and complex array of information in readiness for the exhibition launch in 2010.

FORM is currently in negotiation with key national venues and sponsors for the touring exhibition component of the Project. The team continues to plan, develop and implement meetings and events in the regions to build the Project.

At the third Curators meeting held in Perth in June 2008 the Curators worked with the full show of just over 200 works, selecting 80 for the final CSR collection. 19 of these works were selected for the Beijing Olympic Launch in August 2008. 51 works will be available for sale at the Courthouse Gallery exhibition ‘Through our Eyes – the Canning Stock Route’ in Port Hedland opening September 5th.

Back to country again: More opportunities for young people
In April 2008 a weaving and painting workshop with Martumili artists was facilitated at Kunawarritji involving many young and senior Martu people - including talented Emerging Curator Hayley Atkins and Emerging Multimedia practitioner Morika Biljabu. Nalda Searles facilitated the weaving workshop with Martu women she has known for many years through her mentoring.

The 2008 ‘dry season’ will see the final series of painting and cultural material workshops staged in back-to-country trips. A cultural materials workshops is being designed by community leaders, for both male and female youth. In the Fitzroy Crossing region this traditional carving workshop will coincide with the training of teenagers and young men for Majarrka dance, one of the key songs relating to the Canning Stock Route. FORM wishes to thank KALACC for their ongoing support and guidance.

Collaboration of Aboriginal art centres & content approval
During the second half of 2008, content approval meetings will take place across the regions to ensure the accuracy of Project material and full participation of artists/communities prior to 2009’s content production.

Crossing extraordinary distances for a world class showcase
In this crucial third phase of the CSR Project, more vast distances will be crossed to ensure that this extraordinarily rich part of Australia’s heritage is appropriately showcased. Highlighted alongside this will be government and industry’s role as global leaders and innovators in collaboration with Aboriginal people and their enterprises.