Open the closet doors to Australia’s skeletons

Townsville is set to host an extraordinary art exhibition that promises to uncover Australia’s hidden past and offer a fresh perspective on its history.

Queensland State Archives exhibition, ‘skeletons’, by artist Judy Watson, will debut in Townsville this September as part of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts’ partnership with North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA).

Townsville is set to host an extraordinary art exhibition that promises to uncover Australia’s hidden past and offer a fresh perspective on its history.

The Queensland State Archives exhibition, skeletons, by the internationally acclaimed Waanyi artist Judy Watson, will make its debut as part of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts’ collaboration with the North Australian Festival of Arts.

Curated by Amanda Hayman, a proud Wakka Wakka and Kalkadoon woman from Blaklash Creative, skeletons dives deep into Australia’s untold stories, revealing the painful truths of colonial conflicts and the enduring strength of Aboriginal resistance.

Watson’s work, known for its ability to bring buried histories to the surface, uses the state’s archives to expose the skeletons in Australia’s closet and challenge the myth of terra nullius.

This exhibition is not just about revealing the past; it’s about creating a new narrative for the nation that fosters understanding, education and healing.

Skeletons, by artist Judy Watson, will debut in Townsville this September as part of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts’ partnership with North Australian Festival of Arts .

Drawing from her own family history, Watson’s pieces are deeply personal.

In an article for the New York Times titled “Illuminating a Forgotten History,” Watson discussed her Queensland State Archives commission, Shadow Bone.

“Both in my work and life, I am inspired by my great-great-grandmother Rosie, who survived a massacre in the Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) area of North West Queensland,” Watson shared. “She concealed herself by putting stones on her body to weigh herself down underwater, where she breathed through straw-like reeds. Because she survived, we are here.”

Watson’s skeletons is a powerful testament to her commitment to truth-telling and her ability to give voice to the silenced.

This exhibition also marks a special homecoming for Watson, who is not only a founding member of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts but also a long-time collaborator.

In addition to showcasing her past works, Watson will create a new video piece specifically for the NAFA and Umbrella exhibition, focusing on the histories of North West Queensland.

Alongside Watson’s compelling exhibition, Magnetic Island-based artist Rhonda Stevens will present Regardé Aqua.

Skeletons, by artist Judy Watson, will debut in Townsville this September as part of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts’ partnership with North Australian Festival of Arts .

Her striking sculptural installation represents an elevated spring, symbolising the essential role of water in the universe.

Stevens’ work engages with elements and primal matter of the universe, with a focus on water in particular.

“Water is an integral part of us,” she said.

“It is a primary element essential for our existence in the universe. My intention for this artwork is to form a contemplative sanctuary to pause, in this moment in time to look and listen – to a singular element that sustains humanity and interconnects humanity as a universal need.

“It has been an exciting and humbling experience to have this work commissioned for NAFA and Umbrella and to work towards the site specific installation.”

Both artists have recently been featured in Umbrella’s touring program, in collaboration with Museums and Galleries Queensland.

Watson’s works were part of the Legacy: Reflections on Mabo exhibition, which toured nationally from 2019 to 2023, while Stevens is currently touring Australia with her pieces in the curated group exhibition POSTWORLD.

North Queensland audiences have the unique opportunity to experience these remarkable exhibitions first-hand at the launch event on Friday, September 13, starting at 6pm.

The exhibitions will be on display until October 27.

In addition to viewing these thought-provoking works, attendees can participate in public programs designed to offer deeper insights into the artists’ creative processes and their visions.

For more information on the exhibition and associated programs, visit www.umbrella.org.au.

This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring Australia’s complex history through the powerful lens of contemporary art. Don’t miss your chance to engage with the extraordinary work of Judy Watson and Rhonda Stevens, two artists who are redefining how we see the world around us.

Originally published as Open the closet doors to Australia’s skeletons