Painting the Past: Exploring Kimberley Rock Art

The fourth talk in the Dungog Clarence Town CWA 'Illuminating Women' series is by Dr June Ross, Adjunct Professor, University of New England. Dr June Ross will speak about her work over the past two decades researching Kimberly rock art. This collaborative research has debunked previous claims of a 'non-Aboriginal mystery race' said to be the creators of the famous Gwion rock art figures. Her work in central Australia on contact rock art provided an Aboriginal perspective on 19th century interactions between Aboriginal people, explorers, missionaries, miners and pastoralists. Her most recent research in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands) looked at the role rock art played in the Tjukurpa (Dreaming) by recording sites along the Seven Sisters Songline, results of which formed part of the Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters exhibition (NMA), which was subsequently shown in London, Paris and Oslo. Her earlier career as an art educator included the development of education material for the Venice Biennale and other travelling Aboriginal art exhibitions. She has continued her interest in art with roles on a number of boards at State, Regional or local levels including Chairman of the New England Regional Art Museum, as a board member on the UNE Museum of Antiquities, Arts Northwest for Regional Arts NSW, and the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place in Armidale.