“IMAGES OF RECONCILIATION”

1. “IMAGES OF RECONCILIATION” A resource from RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA and Dare To Lead Produced by: Billy Gordon (Reconciliation Australia) & Jacquie Taylor (Dare to Lead)

2. What do you personally understand by the term ‘Reconciliation’? Reflect upon: * Personal acts that demonstrate a commitment to Reconciliation * Activities within your workplace that are easily identifiable as acts of Reconciliation

4. Key Questions for all images • What do you think the artist is saying to you ? • What words come to mind when you look at this picture ? • What symbols have been used in constructing this picture and what do they represent ? • Do you agree with the sentiments represented in this picture ? If so, why? If not, why not ? • What sort of image would you construct to present or represent your beliefs, thoughts, feelings and/or ideas about Reconciliation ?

5. How does this picture make you feel ? • What traditional significance do snakes or serpents have for Aboriginal people ? • What is the artist saying by depicting the snake in a specimen jar ?

6. Identify the historical and current issues surrounding Indigenous people and the Australian legal system. What has changed ? What still needs to be changed ? Are traditional Indigenous laws observed and recognised in Australia ?

7. What does each of the flags represent ? The four people are represented standing on a rise looking up and out . What does this represent ? The four people have been photographed from a below “hero shot”. Why did the artist do this ? What does the picture say about identity – personal and Australian ?

8. What can you tell from this rubbish heap ? What has been used ? What has been discarded ? What else belongs in this garbage heap ? Look at the food remains and packaging in the garbage. What sort of food is it ? What are the issues surrounding food and Indigenous health – both in the past and today ?

9. What is the mood of this picture ? What role do you think art plays in effecting change in society ? Respect, listening and working together are values identified by the artist of the painting as being important in working towards Reconciliation. What other values may be on the hands covered by the people in the photograph ?

10. This image – both explicitly and implicitly – identifies some issues standing in the way of Reconciliation. What are they ? What other issues affecting Indigenous people do you think need to be resolved ? What feelings are expressed in this picture ?

11. Hands are a powerful symbol in Indigenous art, culture and politics. Each of these images of hands is expressing something different – what are the artists of each of the pictures saying ? How does each of these pictures make you feel ? Do you think there is any symbolic significance in the way the black and white hands have been placed ? What does the placement of the hands say about power and Reconciliation ?

12. Why have the artists of these pictures not used human images ? What is the strong message shared by each ? Footprints have been frequently used in traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art. Usually this art depicts the print of a bare foot. What is the artist saying with this image of a shoeprint ?

13. Why has this artist used the game of football as an image of Reconciliation ? In what way is football significant to Indigenous history and culture ? How/Why has the football team been used as a symbol ?

14. Why has the artist placed the shoes in a circle ? What does the circle symbolise ? Why are there only shoes depicted ? What point does that make ? What difference would it make to the message of the picture if the feet were bare ?

15. Further Questions • What is Reconciliation ? • What does Reconciliation mean to you ? • What does it mean in an Australian context ? • Why is Reconciliation desirable ? • What is the opposite of Reconciliation ? • Who is responsible for making it happen ? • In what way could it be said that the symbols of Reconciliation become more important than practical actions ?