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In the foyer of the
NSW Parliament House (on a wall facing the
internal water-fountain), a designated 'Wall of
Reconciliation' has been created.
The
inscription reads:
'As part of the Reconciliation process with the
Indigenous peoples of Australia, the Presiding
Officers of the Parliament of NSW have dedicated
this wall to be a permanent area for the
exhibition and display of artwork by Aboriginal
people.
There will be a rotating display of artworks,
changed at regular intervals over the year, drawn
from public and private art galleries and
collections and from artists themselves.'
The (free) inaugural art exhibition is 'SKIN DEEP'
by Aboriginal artist Brenda Saunders.
This installation was created with assistance of a
grant from the Visual Art/Craft Board of the
Australia Council and features 2 traditional
possum-fur cloaks plus 'blanket issue' found on
Missions & Government Reserves across Australia.
CLOAKS: The first cloak symbolises
the cloak of Pemulway and the inscription
reads:
'Pemulway - Rainbow Warrior
He was named after the great Rainbow Serpent who
forged the river valleys around Sydney.
He is considered the first freedom fighter against
white invasion in NSW, during the late 18th
century.
He gathered together and led tribal warriors from
Lane Cove to the Blue Mountains, continuing a war
of fire against the growing settlement. He was
known by his people as a 'cleverman' due to his
secret powers and skill at avoiding and escaping
from capture. When finally he was killed, his head
was sent to England for scientific study.'
CLOAKS: The second cloak symbolises
the cloak of Windradyne and the inscription
reads:
'Windradyne
This leader became notorious during the period of
expansion over the Blue Mountains into the Western
Plains of NSW. He led the resistance around
Bathurst for many years, gathering together the
Wiradjuri tribes.
In 1825 he went to Sydney to meet Governor
Macquarie but the war continued until he was
killed in an ambush.
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