Trawulwuy artist Nathan Maynard's installation at the Dark Mofo festival showcases 480 embalmed sheep heads, provoking reactions that range from curiosity to revulsion. The exhibit, featuring the phrase 'What did you do with the bodies?', raises critical discussions within the Tasmanian Aboriginal community about the portrayal of pain and trauma in art. Critics, including heritage officer Fiona Hamilton, have scrutinized the festival's tendency towards sensationalism, recalling past controversies. Visitors are warned of the confronting nature of the display, emphasizing the installation's intention to challenge perceptions and stimulate dialogue around dark historical narratives.
The installation We threw them down the rocks where they had thrown the sheep by Nathan Maynard juxtaposes the serene yet uncanny expressions of embalmed sheep heads with a visceral commentary on violence.
Despite some audience members exiting in discomfort, Maynard’s work aims to provoke reflection on historical trauma and the often unacknowledged violence towards the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
#art-installation #tasmanian-aboriginal-community #dark-mofo-festival #nathan-maynard #historical-trauma
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