With a steely resolve

With a steely resolve 2019

Steel wool, bull kelp, scratched aluminium
First Draft, Sydney
Images: Zan Wimberley

This body of work continues Quadrio’s commitment to bring forward accuracies of historic and contemporary Palawa lived experiences. Abrasive steel wool metaphorically refers to the ‘scrubbing out’ and attempted annihilation of Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their culture. Objects constructed from Tasmanian bull kelp are inserted into the steel wool as an act of resistance and as a describer of ongoing cultural practices.

In a corner of the room, three photographic plates are abraded and scratched as Quadrio seeks to find her inexplicably vanished mother. The plates are accompanied by the cultural leader Bungana who Quadrio explains is offering support to her in this quest