The galang collective convenes regularly to discuss the role of museums and other cultural institutions in the past and present colonisation of First Nations people. It’s a sovereign space to share culture and creative practice, and challenge narratives of sovereignty, decolonisation, identity, power and language.

galang 02 is grounded by connection to Place, Earth, Country and Land. Gail Mabo reflects on her father Eddie Koiki Mabo’s landmark claim to Mer and how profound ties to Place influence her artwork, while Lisa Hilli explores unspoken bonds with her Papua New Guinean family and environment. New contributors Beaska Niillas and Denilson Baniwa take intimate journeys on Country, as does Brook Garru Andrew in his visit on Country with kin and elders to highlight the importance of trees. Kinships become fundamental grounding points when Mayunkiki talks about what it means to be Ainu and Liisa-Rávná Finbog traces a path between the personal and the political as she considers Indigenous sovereignty.

A companion volume, galang 01, was published in March 2022. Both volumes are available packaged together in a slipcase (RRP $100).

galang volumes 01 and 02 are published in collaboration with the Powerhouse museum and Garru Editions.

About the authors 

Powerhouse-galang is the name of an Indigenous-led think tank composed of First Nations artists, curators and scholars supported by the Powerhouse museum, Australia’s contemporary museum for excellence and innovation in applied arts and sciences.

Dr Brook Garru Andrew, Wiradjuri/Celtic artist, writer and curator.

Dr Léuli Eshrãghi, Sãmoan/Persian/Cantonese artist, curator and scholar.

Dr Liisa-Rávná Finbog, Sámi scholar and practitioner of duojár.

Lisa Hilli, Papua New Guinea /Australian artist and scholar.

Dr Biung Ismahasan, Taiwanese Indigenous Bunun Nation curator, artist and researcher.

Gail Mabo, Meriam artist, educator and performer.

Mayunkiki, Ainu artist, educator, performer and musician.