Memories of oblivion 3 – cutting the heads off 1877

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 third print in the series, ‘Cutting the Heads off is dated to 1877,’ and references specific violent encounters from the Cairns region. 1877 was the year that land sales were permitted, and a Native Police station established in Cairns. As a result, the frequency and intensity of violent clashes increased in the region as efforts were made to move Aboriginal people off their land so that European colonisation could take place. In a statement about the work the artist writes: 'The top fragment on the shield is missing:, it represents their brutal persecution and slaughter of innocence. As one might call, "enforcing the law according to the convict's order of law."'