The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) has officially opened its major exhibition ‘taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country’ which will be on display until February 2023.

Twenty Tasmanian Aboriginal artists and cultural makers have shared their creative responses to the stories of Ancestors and their cultural objects held in institutions around the world.

The project developed from gatherings held between 2018– 21 that followed decades-long research by the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to re-locate long missing objects of culture.

The project has been led by TMAG’s First Peoples Art and Culture team, who said historical cultural objects had been sought for extended loans from various institutions in the United Kingdom, France and the United States.

Long-missing shell necklaces, kelp containers, twined baskets, wooden, stone and bone tools, domestic objects, artworks and the only known model reed canoe are among the collection of cultural objects that have been returned to lutruwita from museums across Australia and the world.

“The cultural material returned on loan for this exhibition is a small example of our globally dispersed cultural heritage, and there is much work still to be done,” First Peoples Art and Culture curator Julie Gough said.

“’taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country’ aims to facilitate Aboriginal reconnection with cultural objects that left the island in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as community relationships with institutions external to lutruwita/Tasmania.

“We hope that ‘taypani milaythina-tu’ contributes to the pathway of future unconditional permanent returns.”

Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) board member Michelle Swallow said the TCF was proud to support such an important project for the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.

“To be able to share some of Tasmania’s most unique cultural heritage through ‘taypani milaythina-tu’ is truly special,” she said.

“Improving the wellbeing of Tasmanians is something the TCF strives to achieve, and this project by TMAG and the Tasmanian Aboriginal community showcases the resilience and deep history of one of the oldest continuing cultures in the world.”

The exhibition will be presenting not only the Ancestral objects on loan, but also the array of contemporary artworks the 20 Tasmanian Aboriginal artists have created in response.

‘taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country’ is open at Hobart’s Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery from 1 October 2022 – 12 February 2023. Entry is free.

Photo:  (L-R) TMAG Deputy Director, Engagement Melissa Edwards with TMAG First Peoples Art and Culture curators Keren Ruki and Julie Gough at the ‘taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country’ exhibition.

Artwork:  Strong Black Womin – Forever Culture, 2022 - By maikutena Vicki-Laine Green, Lillian Wheatley, Teresa Green, and Bianca Templar - mixed media installation