Collective Movements

Collective Movements: First Nations Collectives, Collaborations and Creative Practices from across Victoria is a wide-ranging project focusing on the work of historic and contemporary First Nations creative practitioners and community groups from across Victoria that recognises collectivity as integral to Indigenous knowledges and ways of being. An exhibition, publishing project, conversation and workshop platform, the project begins with the desire to make more visible a language and terminology beyond Western art concepts of ‘collaboration’ and ‘collectivism’—one that better describes and acknowledges the way Indigenous creatives work within a broader community and its inheritances.

Collective Movements will feature new artwork commissions alongside existing works, archives and participation from a range of contributors, including Ensemble Dutala, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Kaiela Arts, Koorroyarr, Latje Latje Dance Group Mildura, Pitcha Makin Fellas, the Possum Skin Cloak Story (founded by Vicki Couzens, Debra Couzens [1962–2021], Lee Darroch and Treahna Hamm), The Torch, this mob and a look back at We Iri, We Homeborn—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Festival (1996–99).

Collective Movements is co-curated by Taungurung artist and curator Kate ten Buuren; Lardil and Yangkaal artist and curator Maya Hodge; and N’Arweet Professor Carolyn Briggs AM PhD; with support from Bundjalung, Muruwari and Kamilaroi artist and senior academic, Professor Brian Martin, Director of the Wominjeka Djeembana Indigenous Research Lab, Monash University. Collective Movements is a MUMA / NETS Victoria touring exhibition. This project has been supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Australian Govenernment through Creative australia its primary arts investment and advisory body , its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Images:
1. Lee Darroch 
Possum Skin Cloak Story
Dhamala Biganga (Grandfather Possum Cloak) c.2005 (detail)
possum skins, pokerwork designs, ochre and thread
approx. 200 x 150 cm 
Courtesy of the artist
Installation view, Collective Movements, Monash University Museum of Art, Melbourne, 2022
Photo: Christian Capurro 

2. Ensemble Dutala  
Our Place 2022 (production still) 
5-channel video with stereo sound; 20 minutes  
Courtesy of Short Black Opera

3. Kaiela Arts
Irene Golden (Bangerang)
Baskets (Oval Set of Three) 2016
raffia
3.5 x 11 x 6 cm; 7 x 15 x 7.5 cm; 5.5 x 21 x 9 cm
Courtesy of the artist
Installation view, Collective Movements, Monash University Museum of Art, Melbourne, 2022 Photo: Christian Capurro 

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