Land Rights

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay respect to their leaders, past and present. Visitors to this website should be aware that names may be mentioned, or images portrayed, of people who are now deceased. Any distress this may cause is sincerely regretted.

This artwork incorporates extracts from seminal legal cases on land rights. Terra Nullius (no one’s land) and Terra Aborigium (Aboriginal land) represent the position of native title in Australia before and after the High Court decision in Mabo v Queensland (No.2) (1992). Etched onto glass a map of Meriam Mer (Murray Island – located in the Torres Strait), overlays an image of three plaintiffs in that case: Edward Koiki Mabo, Reverend David Passi and James Rice, and one of their counsel, Bryan Keon-Cohen. Recessed within the artwork is a representation of varying Australian landscapes by Indigenous artist Karen Casey. A thumbprint etched into the stainless steel symbolises the custodial role of Indigenous Australians. On the other side of the artwork are the elements of Country – water, earth and life.

Sliver

• Architect: Simon Kringas
• Aboriginal Cultural Advisor: Sharon Payne
• Exhibition Designers: Marcus Bree, Benita Tunks
• Graphic Designer: Alan Vogt

Images (by permission of)

• Aerial of rivers: Richard Woldendorp
• Landscape: Karen Casey
• Murray Islander plaintiffs: Trevor Graham
• Murray Island and map:Haddon Collection
• River: Richard Woldendorp
• River bed: Karen Casey
• Spirit figures: Karen Casey
• Thumbprint: Karen Casey

Audio

• Wet to Dry: Rick Rue

Click here to learn more about Reconciliation Place and its artworks.