PUNQ Festival is set to present 'Preface', a new performance installation by Jarrowia, Butchulla and Gunggari artist Zane Saunders exploring Indigenous spirituality, custodianship and the impacts of colonialism in Gurambilbarra (Townsville).
Combining live performance, sculpture, sound and video, the work premieres on October 8 inside the former Bank of New South Wales building, one of the city's oldest colonial buildings.
The Kuranda-based interdisciplinary artist has explored the work's themes through several versions.
"Preface is a continuation of a theme or a show that's been in development over the last several years," Mr Saunders said.
"Before, the work was originally named 'Aboriginal Bible' but for this year, we've changed it to 'Preface'."
The project examines colonialism's effects on Aboriginal society while exploring custodianship and the reclamation of sovereignty.
Mr Saunders draws on his own perspectives and concerns shared by Elders and people in the community where he grew up.
His work translates those experiences into visual art and performance.
"The work sort of speaks to that and it's about sort of reclamation or regenerating Aboriginal sovereign nationhood," Mr Saunders said.
His practice spans performance, installation, sound, sculpture and moving image, examining connections between Country, memory, spirituality and cultural responsibility.
In 'Preface', he moves among sculptural works and installation pieces, using props and engaging with audiences.
He describes the performance as artistic movement.
"The medium is contemporary dance, or I call it artistic movement, where basically I move through a landscape or visual art installation and sculptural pieces," Mr Saunders said.
His exploration of religious colonialism also draws on his relationship with Christianity and his decision to step away from the church in recent years.
That experience prompted him to examine its effects from an Indigenous perspective and consider issues continuing to affect Aboriginal people.
His approach centres on observation and reflection.
"I'm not attacking, but it's me observing and sort of coming to my own conclusions about the issues that are still currently affecting our people and how to best address that," Mr Saunders said.
Art provides a way to discuss these questions with non-Indigenous audiences while also seeking engagement and feedback from Aboriginal people.
Connecting with Aboriginal audiences remains part of his purpose.
"I suppose art is one of those vehicles where I can have that dialogue or conversations with audiences," Mr Saunders said.
"But I think it's important too that eventually I'm able to reach our Aboriginal people and engage them in conversation and interest in what I present and do."
Mr Saunders considers performance a spiritual process, informed by cultural creation stories and ancestral guidance.
He leaves room for audiences to interpret the work and develop their own responses.
"The work is also informing me through what I'm producing," Mr Saunders said.
"I don't always have the answers and it's up to audiences, their own interpretation, but also what spirit may engage with them."
His hope is that reflection encourages responsibility towards Aboriginal people, cultural interests and the environment, including native species under pressure from development, industry and agriculture.
'Preface' is supported by QPAC and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Performances run from October 8 to 10 at the former Bank of New South Wales building on the corner of Flinders and Stokes streets, with doors opening at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
