Before Time Today: reinventing tradition in Aurukun Aboriginal Art. (Softcover edition)

St. Lucia, Qld. : University of Queensland Press, 2010. Quarto (290 x 240 mm), pictorial stiff wrappers with French flaps; 159, [1] pp, illustrated in colour; an excellent copy.

Superb catalogue published to accompany the exhibition Before Time Today: Reinventing Tradition in Aurukun Aboriginal Art, held at University of Queensland Art Museum, 2010.

Contents:
Art and Aurukun cultural history / P. Sutton
Tradition and change in Aurukun aesthetics / S. Butler
Conversations with artists / S. Kalkeeyorta, M. Ngallametta, T. Albert
The art of Wik politics and the politics of Wik art / D. Martin
Aurukun art in the Netherlands: law poles reciprocating / G. Petitjean.

‘This compelling book considers [cultural issues] within the context of unique, stunning art from the remote north Queensland Aboriginal community of Aurukun. It explains how Aurukun art production absorbed the colonial impact of mission and government intervention throughout the 20th century and provides the powerful visual symbols for the political struggles of the Wik people to regain land ownership and social justice. Extensive high-quality reproductions of Aurukun’s charismatic carvings, weavings, and paintings illustrate the inspiring connections between art and life, and demonstrate how a reinvention of artistic tradition fuels creativity and innovation in keeping culture relevant and vibrant.’ (UQ)