Krystal is joined by multidisciplinary artist Tahlia Palmer, of the Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay nations, to discuss her new audio-visual artwork occupation studies: ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung (they tried to tame Birrarung), now exhibiting at Fed Square.

Tahlia’s work critically engages in themes of history, politics and environmental issues, to advocate for sovereign Indigenous perspectives. In her art practice, she confronts the conditions that create and perpetuate intergenerational trauma and explores different pathways for healing.

In this new audio-visual experience, Tahlia collaborates with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung artist Jasper Cohen-Hunter to interrogate the colonial occupation and regulation of the Birrarung (Yarra River), revealing how non-First Peoples altered the living waterway that had sustained Wurundjeri people for countless generations.

Tahlia shares her personal connection to the Birrarung and delves deeper into the lasting impacts of colonisation on the river that we see today.

“The river is sick as a result. There should be waterfalls there but there are not.”

Occupation studies: ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung (they tried to tame Birrarung) is exhibiting now at Koorie Heritage Trust, Birrarung Building, Fed Square, until September 13.