Scar – A Stolen Vision 2001

Summary

Location: Enterprize Park, Yarra River Scar trees are found in many parts of Australia, physically marking the historical presence of Indigenous people. Scar trees are produced by the removal of bark for the purpose of making canoes, coolamons and shields, but also for more sacred purposes, such as to indicate a burial site. Significant cultural artefacts, scar trees are vectors for cultural identity, essential in establishing pre-contact occupation of an area and important in understanding traditional culture and practices. Sited at Enterprize Park, on the northern bank of the Yarra River just west of Queens Bridge, Scar – A Stolen Vision is a collaborative work by Indigenous artists that engages with the tradition of tree scarring. The installation symbolises the landscape marked by scar trees, articulating the presence of Indigenous people and their connection to country. The term ‘scar’ links with wounds, healing and memory – concepts embodied in the work. Artistic director Kimba Thompson brought together seven visual artists to create contemporary works that convey tradition and underscore continuity with past practices. Karen Casey, Craig Charles, Glenn Romanis, Maree Clarke, Ray Thomas, Ricardo Idagi and Treahna Hamm worked on 30 pier poles recycled from the Docklands project along the Yarra. Carving, burning, painting and reshaping the poles, the artists impart stories relating to their culture, people and history through their own distinctive art practices – essentially modern forms of tree scarring. Scar was commissioned by the City of Melbourne as part of Federation events in Victoria, and was co-funded by Arts Victoria and the state government. It was first displayed in City Square in March 2001, at which time it included a soundscape by Lou Bennett and Peter Mumme, which layered the histories and communities of the scar poles with sounds that mimicked their production. The poles were relocated to Enterprize Park in 2003.