The Museum of the Goldfields is proud to host a national touring exhibition about shell-stringing; one of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community’s culturally significant and closely guarded traditions.

kanalaritja: An Unbroken String from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) features a variety of beautiful, delicate and rare shell necklaces, created by Tasmanian Aboriginal Ancestors in the 1800s, as well as a new wave of modern stringers.

Museum of the Goldfields Regional Manager Zoe Scott said kanalaritja is a culmination of a journey of cultural renewal, and celebrates the generations of makers who have sustained this uniquely Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural practice.

“Pierced shells from Tasmania’s west coast have dated the tradition of shell-stringing to at least 2,000 years ago,” Ms Scott said.

“The Museum is privileged to host this exhibition that shares a community’s celebration of culture and understanding of the sea.”

Since 2010, TMAG has worked with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to facilitate a number of luna tunapri (women’s knowledge) workshops in which women in the community – who had not had shell-stringing passed down through their families – were guided through the intricate processes of collecting, cleaning and stringing.

TMAG Director Janet Carding said building on the overwhelming success of the luna tunapri project, the women aspired to share their journey with the wider public, leading to the creation of kanalaritja: An Unbroken String.

“Shell-stringing has never before been the focus of a touring exhibition, nor comprehensively documented in a dedicated publication,” Ms Carding said.

“Importantly, this is a project that has been led by the community and I would like to acknowledge those involved for allowing us to share their story.”

kanalaritja: An Unbroken String is accompanied by a dedicated publication featuring a range of essays and photographs, aiming to build awareness and provide a definitive account of the unique cultural practice of shell-stringing. Resources have also been developed for teachers.

kanalaritja: An Unbroken String will be on show at the Museum of the Goldfields from 10 March 2018 until 29 April 2018. Entry to the Museum is by donation.

Visitors can get an exclusive preview of the exhibition at a floor talk at 10.30am on 8 March with exhibition curator Zoe Rimmer. Bookings are recommended and can be made by emailing goldfields@museum.wa.gov.au.

Special activities will be run for children during the April school holidays at the Museum. Kids will study shells’ colours and shapes, and then decorate their own calico bags with their favourite shell designs.

kanalaritja: An Unbroken String has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.

http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/museum-of-the-goldfields/kanalaritja-unbroken-string

Media contact
Sharna Craig
Media and Publicity Officer
Western Australian Museum
sharna.craig@museum.wa.gov.au