Returning
Magabala Books 2022
Returning is underpinned by a series of 45 poems, exploring themes of decolonisation, truth-telling, justice, intersectionality, Indigenous Ways of Thinking, the divorcing of white supremacy culture, liberation and Black Joy.
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, Returning is a visual poetry project delivered by Gundungurra raised Gunai creative, Kirli Saunders. This project encompasses the experimentation with a range of media for the creation of new visual poetry, exploring Kirli’s process of decolonising identity and writing with guidance from her community of First Nations Elders, Custodians, artists and academics.
With consultation, mentorship and liaison with First Nations Custodians, Elders, artists and academics, these poems have been interpreted by Kirli as artworks which span traditional, digital, film, audio, photography, print, drawing and painting mediums that will be exhibited at SHAC Gallery on Gundungurra lands, Nov 26-Dec 23.
Works from the exhibition will feature alongside their accompanying poems in a publication titled Returning to be released by Magabala Books in 2022.
This project is created with guidance from Custodians, consultants Elders, artists and academics, for which Kirli is incredibly grateful, including Adrian Webster (Yuin, Dhunghutti), Dr Lilly Brown (Gumbaynggirr), Genevieve Grieves (Worimi), Aunty Loretta Parsley (Yuin), Aunty Sharralyn (Shas) Robinson (Dharawal, Yuin), Stephanie Beaupark (Ngugi), Grace Lucas Pennington (Bundjalung), Kylie Caldwell (Bundjalung) and David Cragg (Bundjalung).
Kirli would also like Tad Souden, Jo Clancy, Shana & Amie for their collaboration on film projects. Dr Tamryn Bennett, Lorin Reid and Red Room Poetry for their assistance and support and Jill Talbot, Robyn Kinsella and Brooke Munro for their artistic wisdom and mentorship.
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