Artists Statement:
In this work I have researched the historical mapping of aboriginal tribal boundaries. My pre-existing interests in working with landcape along with the use of topographic imagery have led me in this direction. While researching this subject I have discovered the work of anthropologist/archaeologist Norman Tindale who began mapping aboriginal tribal boundaries in the 1920’s. Tindale dedicated many years to forming the first published map of tribal boundaries along with documentation of each tribe. The significance of his map and findings were significant in implying that the notion of terra nullius was not valid in the case of Australia. I have incorporated an etching of his 1974 revised map in this image against an impression of land itself. Note: Below I have included an introductory paragraph from the biography of Norman Tindale contained the South Aust. Museum Archives which can be found at the following website http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/page/default.asp?site=2&page=TIN_Biography ....I recommend for further reading and to view more details of the map and tribes. “On his first major field trip after being appointed assistant entomologist at the South Australian Museum in 1918, Norman Tindale sketched the tribal Aboriginal boundaries in the Groote Eylandt and Roper River area of the Northern Territory. His map was edited before publication and the boundaries removed on the basis that Australian Aboriginal people were wanderers with no fixed attachments to land. Tindale's reaction was to dedicate his research efforts for the next two decades towards proving that Aboriginal groups did relate territorially to distinct regions that could be successfully mapped. His tribal map of Australia, first published in 1940 and revised in 1974 together with his encyclopaedia of Aboriginal tribal groups, was radical in its fundamental implication that Australia was not terra nullius - decades before the Mabo judgement made it a national issue.”

Artists Statement:
Claimed land and the invisibility of the "other" will be thematic to this piece. My work overall addresses issues of society.

Artists Statement:
This image is based on an article by Michael Mansell, Director Legal Services Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, taken from The Saturday Mercury, "YOUR VOICE" June 18, 2005 Titled: Aboriginal Identity.

Artists Statement:
This body of work addresses the concept of Terra Nullius - dealing with the juxtaposition of memory and actuality. what was nothing now is. what now is was nothing.

Artists Statement:
land without legal owners

Artists Statement:
I wanted the image to be almost invisible - hard to see. Just like it was for the intruders back then .... but you can feel it.

Artists Statement:
nil

Artists Statement:
A few months back around Commonwealth Games time in Melbourne, when aboriginal protestors set up house in nearby City Gardens keeping their sacred flame burning My thoughts went 'walkabout' wandering and wondering sailing in a form of dream-time as to possible scenarios encountered by white discovers from much smaller distant lands and their sometimes bloody encounters and conflict with the indigenous population from which evolved a melting pot of perpetual attempts at yet unresolved mutual reconciliation. From an ancient barren past Terra Nullius continent of 'seeming nothingness' has evolved a contemporary society which 'worships' two separate ever burning sacred / eternal / flames and two flags of distinct identity.

Artists Statement:
Terra Nullius tends to be regarded as a specious legal argument by post-enlightenment thinkers, the ramifications of which are still felt today. However, I would prefer to approach it in its linguistic context as 'empty land'. (The question may well be asked if such a thing exists.) 'Nocturne' is a glyph for the concept of 'arrival'. Inherent in arrival is the inevitability of change. Arrival embodies the evensong or night music (nocturne) for a particular place and era.

Artists Statement:
"ADVANCE AUSTRALIA" John Bull, with his Westminster Justice, arrives in the Great Southern Land, Terra Australis.lt is considered Terra Null ins; and the subjugation of the Aboriginal people begins. The crown fails to see the evidence of the ancient culture that has survived here for over sixty thousand years, possibly for a hundred thousand years. Sovereignty claimed all rights to Terra Australis. It was said to be an empty land devoid of all human life. A no-mans land; Terra Nullius. "Natives" living in this great country were considered to have no obvious legal systems; they were classified as part of the flora and fauna. They did not build permanent dwellings or "make use" of the land; there was no evidence of fanning or mining. "No valid cultural practices." Would it have made a difference if the crown had looked for evidence of Aboriginal Law? Or taken into consideration, the responsibility given to the custodians to protect their land? Had they listened to the stories of the Elders, about the Spirits that have lived here since the beginning of time, would the crown have taken another approach? Over many years further evidence has emerged of length and nature of the Aboriginal culture and presence in Australia. The eel smoke houses, fishing traps, and evidence of trading from the ancient ochre mines are a few indicators that a culture was already thriving here. The tiny shell beads, estimated to be thirty two thousand years old, discovered at Mandu Mandu Creek Western Australia in 1990. At the time of discovery, the beads were the oldest adornments found anywhere in the world. Ancient rock art in the Burrup peninsular that has remained there for thousands of years, is now under threat from industrial pollution and re-location, with more than ten percent having been moved and destroyed already. The footsteps frozen in time of a family group walking across the drying mud flats during the ice age over twenty thousand years ago may have impacted on the decision making of the invaders. If it had been accepted that the Great Southern Land was occupied already, would things be different for Indigenous People? What if the word 'Invasion' had been spoken, rather than deleted from the language of Terra Nullius? Would international laws be abided by? Perhaps it wouldn't have taken over two hundred years for native title to be introduced. It may mean tribal laws practiced by Aboriginal groups throughout Australia be taken into consideration. Would any potential disruption to the land by pastoralists or miners be discussed with the custodians, and the sacred sites protected? It is now time to accept the responsibilities for the wrongs that have been done to the Indigenous peoples of Australia. Advance Australia into a fairer and more equitable future. In my print I have illustrated some of the ancient artefacts used by the Indigenous peoples, long before their land was labelled Australia, Terra Nullius. John Bull, the quintessential Englishman, surveys the land with eyes closed. The images of the fish traps, the footprint and the Burrup Rock Art have been presented in the style of Aboriginal art.