Seen and Unseen: Expressions of Koorie Identity

UNTIL 21 NOVEMBER | KOORIE HERITAGE TRUST, FEDERATION SQUARE

Seen and Unseen: Expressions of Koorie Identity is on show at the Koorie Heritage Trust until 21 November. We’re thrilled that lockdown was lifted just in time so that people are able to view this incredible exhibition in person.

Of course, if you aren’t in Melbourne, that’s not a problem—the Koorie Heritage Trust have plenty of material online for you to dive into right now, including a film, catalogue and online tour of the exhibition.

Seen and Unseen explores the work of trailblazing Koorie artists from the 1990s, using the Can’t See for Lookin’: Koorie Women Artists Educating exhibition as a springboard to reflect on the impact of their work and how their voices have influenced generations to come.

Can’t See for Lookin’ emphasised the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women artists maintaining stories and art practices of cultural significance throughout Victoria. Conceived by respected Yorta Yorta / Wamba Wamba / Mutti Mutti / Boonwurrung artist and designer Maree Clarke and her late brother Peter Clarke, it brought together 12 women artists living in Victoria through an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria and an educational slide kit, supported by the Women's Art Register.

We've been honoured to work with the Koorie Heritage Trust to help bring this new exhibition together. We contributed a number of archival materials to the show, including the black and white images (all by Joyce Evans) seen in the accompanying film. The research into our archive and liaison with the Koorie Heritage Trust was undertaken by current Committee Member Merren Ricketson, who also helped coordinate the Can’t See for Lookin’ program all those years ago.

You can explore more about the original Can’t See For Lookin’ exhibition at the VicHealth Access Gallery, NGV via our This Is W.A.R! project.