Biennale to reveal tale ‘hidden’ in landscapes

More than 50 artists have created work for the Biennale, which will include installations and video, responding to the Sub-Terrains theme.
This is a First Nations artist-led interrogation of local narratives of land and colonisation, post colonisation, war and migration, historical truths and buried stories within local sites of significance.
The Biennale aims to highlight the Aboriginal history of Salt Pan Creek after colonisation and based on Joe Anderson, a long-time resident of the area in 1930s and 40s.
In 1933, Joe (also known as ‘King Burraga’) was filmed near Salt Pan Creek, Bankstown, declaring a petition to the King of England, calling for equal rights and justice for Indigenous Australians.
He spoke of the connection to Country and the need for having respect for each other.
The Biennale will mark Joe’s political legacy, as he truly was a visionary, accessing cutting edge technology to get his message into the mainstream on film. Now almost 100 years on, First Nations people are still echoing these same calls to action.
Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour says it will be an intriguing look at local history.
“It’s also fascinating to know that the waterways feeding Salt Pan Creek, flow beneath the Arts Centre and our culturally vibrant precinct,” Mayor Asfour said.
The Biennale will feature: Nawi building demonstration with Uncle Dean Kelly on Saturday, October 15, 10am-4pm; Riverculture Weaving workshops with Auntie Kerrie Kenton on Saturday, October 29, 10.30am-noon and 1-2.30pm (12 years and up); and Sub-Terrains Forum with Wesley Enoch, Uncle Shayne Williams, Aroha Groves and Jennifer Newman on Saturday, November 5, 1-3pm.