When it came to naming their ‘heritage country’, few in the sample were as decisive or particular as so many had been in specifying their language groups. Some were, like Queensland artist Avril Quaill whose biography notes that she is of the “Goenpul and Nuigi people of Moreton Bay (Quardamooka) SE Queensland”, but others simply gave their language group names again as a way of identifying their country. Most people  (70% of the sample) did not specify anything at all in this field. Despite this reticence, the artists within the Storylines catchment illustrate the multitude of ways that Indigenous Australians connect with country, and show that ‘country’ is not only a source of inspiration for those living north of the Rowley line.

Many artists express a sense of loss and nostalgia for pre-colonial times in their work. Noongar artists of the Southwest of WA paint country in a naturalistic style, though it rarely relies on the conventions of observation that underpin the European landscape tradition. As Graham (Swag) Taylor told Laura Fisher, the South-west tradition is about “imagining where you want to be in country”. Gordon Syron’s Where Wildflowers Once Grew series recalls “Minimbah, the land we grew up on, the land of the Biripi people.” Glenn Pilkington’s work explores the emotions of loss and longing that come with displacement, while other city-based artists such as Deborah Bonar, Bevan Thompson and Craig Charles use their work to reflect upon and remain connected to their heritage country.

For the kelp and shell workers of Tasmania, such as Vicki West, Eva Richardson, Verna Nicholls, Bernice Condie, Lola Greeno and Dulcie Greeno, regular visits to the Furneaux Group of islands to collect materials allow them to reconnect with country and to ensure that new generations of family members establish these connections. Vernon Graham’s custodial duties as a Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage officer are intertwined with his artistic practice as an environmental photographer and craftsman working with natural materials. The work of artists like Graham and Ricky Maynard is also informed by meaningful engagement with country in the yearly mutton-bird harvest on the islands.

Half of the Storylines artists were born in 1960 or earlier, a period when institutional living overseen by white supervisory staff on church run missions, or reserves managed by state government departments responsible for Aboriginal Affairs or Welfare, was still a feature of many Indigenous lives south as well as north of the Rowley line. Roy Kennedy and Elaine Russell are well known for their portrayals of mission life, but Storylines’ research revealed how pervasive the experience is, and how it has positive as well as negative associations for many. A significant number of people cited “missions” where they or previous generations of their family had lived as their ‘heritage country’ [See map - below - of Mission and Reserve locations]. It was on or in the vicinity of missions and reserves that many of the older artists were born – and also first learnt the artistic techniques they employ in their work today. For example, Frank Harrison learnt his carving skills from observing the ‘Old People’ such as Waddy Pepper, Laurie Moffatt and Foster Mullett at the Lake Tyers Mission in Eastern Victoria.

Image of Roy Kennedy’s etching of ‘A simple life on the mission’ from Prints and Printmaking website

The map below shows the approximate location of missions and reserves relevant to Storylines biographies. Map courtesy of Geoscience Australia. Mission and reserve locations courtesy of Laura Fisher. You can zoom in to view these locations.

Locations of missions and reserves

NSW

Brewarrina Aboriginal Mission
Burnt Bridge Mission, Kempsey
Burra Bee Dee Mission, Coonabarabran
Cabbage Tree Island Mission
Caroona Mission, Quirindi
Condobolin Mission
Coomaditchie Mission, Kemblawarra
Cummeragunja Mission/Station, near Echuca
Ebenezer Mission, Lake Macquarie
Erambie Mission, Cowra
La Perouse Aboriginal Mission, Sydney
Moonahcullah Mission
Moree Aboriginal Reserve
Murrin Bridge Mission
Talbragar Reserve, Dubbo
Toomelah Mission & Toomelah Reserve, Boggabilla
Ukerebagh Island Aboriginal Reserve
Uladulla Aboriginal Reserve
Wallaga Lake Mission
Warangesda Mission, Darlington Point
Wilcannia Mission

VIC

Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve, near Healesville
Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve, near Warrnambool
Lake Condah Mission
Lake Tyers Mission
Manatunga Mission, Robinvale
Tangambalanga Aboriginal Reserve

SA

Bonney Reserve, Meningie
Koonibba Mission
Ooldea Mission
Point McLeay Aboriginal Mission
Point Pearce Mission

WA

Carrolup Native Settlement, near Katanning
Clayton Reserve, Narrogin
Cosmo Newberry Mission
Gnowangerup Mission
Jureen Rock Reserve, Kellerberrin
Mount Margaret Mission, Laverton
Mount Barker Reserve
New Norcia Mission
Pinjarra Aboriginal Reserve
Roelands Mission
Wagin Aboriginal Reserve
Wandering Mission
York Reserve

TAS

Cape Barren Island
Wybalenna Settlement, Flinders Island

QLD

Aurukun Mission
Cape Bedford Mission
Lockhart River Anglican Mission
Palm Island
Weipa Mission
Yarrabah Mission