A new book, ngargee – coming together to celebrate, highlights the rich heritage and innovation of southeast Australian Aboriginal art, celebrating cultural revitalisation and connection to Country.
Gulumirrgin (Larrakia), Wardaman, and Karajarri woman and senior curator, Tina Baum, described the publication as "timely" and "an overdue acknowledgement" of southeast Aboriginal communities, recognising their stories through art, culture, and collaboration.
Guringai Yuin curator and artist, Amanda Jane Reynolds, called the book "a big-hearted invitation into ngurra (camp/home)" and praised Maree Clarke's leadership.
"This collaboration has created one of the most significant books of our generation," she said.
The book, co-edited by Mutti Mutti/Wamba Wamba/Yorta Yorta/Boonwurrung artist Maree Clarke, academic Frances Edmonds and cultural anthropologist Sabra Thorner, draws on Clarke's decades-long dedication to art and knowledge transmission.
It features contributions from 24 artists and cultural practitioners across Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania.
The title, ngargee, means "coming together to celebrate" in Boonwurrung language and reflects the book's focus on collaboration.
Ms Clarke's family and cultural heritage are central to the project, with the book's cover designed in collaboration with her great-nephew Mitch.
"The cover tells a visual story of the rivers that connect us all, including past, present, and future generations of my family," Ms Clarke said.
"The red symbols depict men and women, designs I have handed down to my nieces and nephews to use in their own art practices."
The book spans topics such as possum skin cloak-making in Melbourne, the revival of feather flower-making in Clarke's backyard, and cultural exchanges influenced by 19th-century European art.
It also honours Ms Clarke's work fostering intercultural dialogue and addressing the impacts of colonisation through art.
Ms Clarke, whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, was recently appointed to create Melbourne's Stolen Generations Marker.
Her retrospective at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2021 cemented her as a leader in cultural revitalisation.
ngargee – coming together to celebrate is available now for $59.95 from Aboriginal Studies Press and major retailers.
