Think of Aboriginals, and what comes to mind is either exotica or what the media often highlights: a society dogged by alcoholism, child abuse, drug addiction, a lower than average life expectancy, and anything else equally negative.
Two years ago, at the Australian Museum, Sydney, this view was swept aside by one of the more compelling exhibitions, and also one of the least patronised. “Indigenous Australians: Australia’s first peoples” ran for over half a year. The themes — spirituality, cultural heritage, the land, family, health and social justice — were chosen in consultation with Indigenous Australians and the museum’s audience groups.
