Memories of oblivion 2 – Invasion day 1770–1788

Paul Bong (b. 1963 Yidinji) is a printmaker whose works often focus on reclaiming cultural treasures and histories that have been disrupted and dislocated through colonial processes. Bong uses etching and vinyl print techniques to recreate the forms of cultural material including rainforest shields, king plates, weaponry and dilly bags. His prints represent a way to reclaim cultural treasures that have been removed from their communities and now reside largely in museums.

Bong’s 2016 work, Memories of Oblivion is a suite of five prints that together span a narrative of more than 50,000 years, from the earliest records of settlement in the Cairns region to the present day. The creeping influence of the Union Jack on the form of a North Queensland rainforest shield speaks to the loss of culture and violent persecution of Aboriginal people that occurred on the colonial frontier. Together, the prints in the series also serve as a memorial to those who died defending Country during the conflicts. The second print in the series, ‘Invasion day 1770-1788’ references two dates: the landing of Captain Cook and the Endeavour at Botany Bay, and the arrival of the First Fleet in Australia. In the work, the shadow of the British flag has appeared on the shield. In a statement about the work the artist writes:
'The blue shadow of a new flag in the background represents that ‘they have crept in’ as savages infiltrating our livelihood.'