School of Art students learn about historic Indigenous trail

A group of ANU School of Art students have heard first-hand about the cultural relationships that Indigenous communities have with an historic trail that runs through New South Wales known as the Bundian Way.

 

The students attended a week-long field trip to Eden to learn about the significance of the trail and its connection with the communities.

 

The historic 380-kilometre pathway runs from Mt Kosciuszko to Twofold Bay on the far south coast of New South Wales.

 

Guests of the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, the 12 students and two staff stayed at Jigamy Farm during the week where they heard from Aboriginal elders B J Cruse and Les Kose.

 

The group also heard from local author John Blay and National Parks and Wildlife Service Area Manager Franz Peters, as well as Narooma-based Yun woman and artist Natalie Bateman.

 

"Hearing first-hand the stories of Aboriginal people from this area is very impactful for us as staff, as well as for the students," School of Art Field Research Coordinator Amelia Zaraftis said.

 

"Each evening around the campfire students reflect on the day's events, discussing the stories and knowledge that was shared with them that day."

 

The field trip is part of the ANU School of Art's Balawan Elective which provides students the chance to develop an understanding of the importance of the historic trail.

 

The Bundian Way follows wild country via local roads and tracks and was used by the first Australians, who showed European settlers the pathway to help them to get supplies from the Monaro region to the coast at Eden.

 

The 12 students will now spend the next few months creating works that represent their time out at Eden ahead of an exhibition in August at the School of Art Gallery.