By
Patrick Sutczak
Finding
myself in another tunnel and once again finding myself having to stop.
The
idea of a tunnel acting as a thoroughfare across Cockatoo Island (I assume to
save time) is proving problematic in that very intention. For now, these are
gallery spaces, sites of artistic installation, and sites of interventions. I
could also say they are sites of reflection. I am the token tourist on Sydney's Gloucester
Street who could be seen stopping every five meters to photograph the original terrace
housing – or to peer into the excavations beneath the YHA accommodation, and actually enjoy it. There is something
about history that captivates me, and certainly the endevours to unearth it,
preserve it, and more importantly to learn from it. A captivation shared by
many, but not enough. But those structures are the solid things, the remnants still here – the kind of relics that can be cordoned off, dusted down, chipped
away at and displayed - things of permanent exhibition. What if history is
oral, migratory, or is testament to an assimilationist – how might we engage
with that? Biennale artist Jonathon Jones raises his hand…
Warrane, or Sydney
Harbour, is the site of one of the most important historical meetings – the
collision between the British Empire and the Eora, representatives of the
world’s oldest living culture. Some 220 years ago, this encounter marked the
start of Australia’s ongoing colonisation, a process that attempts to raze
Aboriginal culture. Yet within this reign of terror, intelligence, strength and
flexibility all persevere, and these qualities have come to define many of our
Aboriginal leaders: Woollarawarre Bennelong (c1764–1813), a Wongal man from the
southern shores of Sydney Harbour, emerges from Sydney’s history as a brilliant
leader, diplomat, and visionary. Bennelong was first forcibly kidnapped in 1789
under the orders of Governor Arthur Phillip (1738–1814), then sought a new life
within his rapidly changing world. He astutely assimilated the new power
structure into his own, referring to Phillip as ‘father’ and developing a deep
relationship that saw Bennelong and his family dine nightly with the governor.
In 1790, Phillip constructed Bennelong a stone home on the point that today
still bears his name. In 1792, he and his kinsman, Yemmerrawannie
(c.1775–1794), became the first Aboriginal people to visit England. Bennelong
shaped Aboriginal identity. His astute and charismatic nature found new ways of
operating within a colonial paradigm and paved the way for future generations.
-
Jonathon Jones
I
can’t help but think that Jones is one of many who identifies with the terror
that Woollarawarre Bennelong must have realised at the time of violent
colonisation, yet assesses it with intellect and calm while remaining a voice
for history and the malleable future. In fact, more than a voice – a creative
visionary that remains true to his heritage – a contemporary advocate for the
keeping of stories. Stories like the annual feast of the long-finned eels that
proved to be the reason for a gathering of celebration and fill. The migration
of the uncaught would spawn and fill the surrounding estuaries for the next
year. This of course, is
sustainability – and smarts.
The
migrating eels are represented above me in the tunnel as bright flouroescent
tubes, weaving their way from entry to exit, from harbour to coast – a map of
their journey illuminating my passage form one point to the next reminding me
of their importance of longevity; food as energy, light as direction, system as
nature. An illuminating experience indeed and one that connects with the visceral
in terms of ritual behaviour brought about by the necessity of food.
A
feast is about the company, the dialogue, the exchange of
narrative, of stories and of friendship - the need to eat, the need to
survive, the need to connect – a celebration of animal, a celebration of human.
And this, I feel, is what Jones is trying to tell me with his work - the
history of Cockatoo Island, the gathering of the feast of eels, the power of
communion and companionship, nurture and nature; of Sydney Harbour or Warrane, and those who knew her very
differently.
Not
unlike Woollarawarre Bennelong, Jones is shaping Aboriginal identity by
relishing in his lineage, creatively exploring his ancestry in multi-cultural
Australia, and visually telling his stories to the delight of many.
As I
emerge from the tunnel, another welcome surprise. Another Jonathon Jones – untitled (oysters & tea cups).
Sensational.
Stay
tuned…
