Gum Blossom

**Artist **Simon Munro

**Production date **2023

Media Carved Ironbark Tree, metal base plate

Credit Generously donated by the artist with support from The University of Newcastle.

This work is a carved tree bole created by artist Simon Munro, for the 'Philosophies of the Anaiwan' exhibition and PhD research which draws from Munro’s heritage, the Anaiwan nation of the New England Tablelands.

Artist statement:

"A key element of ‘Philosophies of the Anaiwan’ are the seven Carved Tree Boles that are but a shadow of the practice prior to European settlement. I was drawn to the practice early in the research due to their absence in the natural environment today.

Throughout the 19th century carved tree boles were harvested from their natural environment by enthusiastic amateur anthropologist and archaeologist as keepsakes and museum collection pieces.

Carvings like these would not have been done on a day-to-day basis as their production was not an aesthetic philosophy alone. Instead, the philosophy of carving was as close to what we know as aligning with, Ceremony, Totemic and Boundary Marking. One element of carved tree boles demonstrates an undeniably advanced philosophy grounded in metaphysical beliefs during burial of significant people in Anaiwan culture.

Therefore, there is an irony in showing the works in philosophies of the Anaiwan in an art gallery. I found myself asking the question while carving the tree boles, whether exhibiting these works in an art gallery was an admission that certain elements of the Anaiwan culture had officially surrendered their place in the natural environment?

As these carvings emerged from my practice there was an awareness of a philosophy that required a synergy with all elements required to create the end carving. I reflect on the creative element of my research and wondered that knowing how to read the natural environment and materials as opposed to exploitation must have been the priority of the Anaiwan.

If we think about it, this purpose for creative expression is profound. There may be a gem in the rough of this continuum of cultural practice that is absent from how we teach and receive knowledge today?

Anaiwan culture celebrated the natural environment from a perspective that Dreaming philosophies embraced substantiality, respect, awareness, and preservation. During my research I found that revitalising such elements as Anaiwan cultural practice as carving not only provided me with an appreciation of the material process but the environment I found myself depicting." - Simon Munro

Artist Notice:

Please be aware that no items in this exhibition have been reproduced from any known existing carved tree boles nor do any items knowingly depict images that may be considered culturally sacred.

All works are the original creative inspiration of the cultural practitioner (Simon Munro) and are expression of his observations of the natural environment and geographical locations of significance to his paternal family.