Images(8)

Drawer for Mabo

Artist Fiona Foley (Indigenous Australian, born 1964)

Date1991

Object number00018152

NameSculpture

MediumNewspaper, paint, wood

Dimensions130 mm, 7.5 kg
Display Dimensions: 132 x 501 x 672 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

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DescriptionThe sculpture 'Drawer for Mabo' is based on a wooden drawer. The interior of the drawer features a collage constructed from newspaper article. These articles document the historic 1992 Australian High Court decision relating to the Murray Island Native Title claim- known as the Mabo ruling. A newspaper photograph of Eddie Koiki Mabo (1936-1992) has been collaged to the centre of the drawer.
HistoryThe Drawer For Mabo is significant in showing the political culture of an island community. It is a collage of newspaper articles collected after the Australian High Court decision on the Murray Island status. During this case the myth of Terra Nullius was dispelled after a ten year court battle and 204 years of colonization. This allowed the community on
the island to regain their land and water rights.

What Fiona is saying with the sculpture is that, it is important in Indigenous and Australian history to acknowledge this pivotal shift in the Australia collective psyche. By opening a draw in our closet of skeletons we can observe a cross section of opinion and optimistically give the next generation of indigenous children hope from a wholistic point of
view of their birth right.

SignificanceThere are two main aspects to Fiona Foley's work:one political and the other her spirituality tied up with her Aboriginal heritage and link to her land. Fiona feels it is important to take a strong political stand in her work as an affirmation that Aboriginal art and culture has survived white colonization.