The State Library of NSW marked World Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday (9 August) by launching an online version of Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones’ celebrated project Sydney Elders.
Mr Jones said each Elder represented different clans that had survived in Sydney and together they told Sydney’s most important story, its Aboriginal story.
He said the Elders spoke of how they continued the legacy of their ancestors by actively contributing to and creating Sydney.
In a statement, the Library said the Sydney Elders online edition was based on one of its most popular exhibitions, Sydney Elders: Continuing Aboriginal Stories.
“The new online edition tells a personal story of Aboriginal Sydney through four of its traditional owners — Uncle Dennis Foley, Aunty Esme Timbery, Uncle Charles ‘Chicka’ Madden and Aunty Sandra Lee,” the Library said.
“Uncle Charles ‘Chicka’ Madden, from Gadigal country, spent most of his life in the construction industry, working on landmark projects such as Qantas House, Gladesville Bridge, the Eastern Suburbs Railway and Carriageworks,” it said.
“He is an active member of the Redfern community and an artist.”
The Library said the online project would also introduce visitors to Aunty Esme Timbery, a celebrated Bidjigal and Dharawal artist and Elder from the Aboriginal community of La Perouse.
It said that, like her ancestors, Aunty Esme was a renowned shellwork artist whose work had been widely collected.
“Uncle Dennis Foley, a Gai-mariagal man from northern Sydney, has a distinguished career as an educator, researcher and author, particularly in the areas of Indigenous culture, enterprise and entrepreneurship,” it said.
“Aunty Sandra Lee, a Dharug Elder from Blacktown, is an active member of the Western Sydney Aboriginal community who is constantly pushing for recognition of Dharug people,” the Library said.
The State Library’s Sydney Elders online edition can be accessed at this PS News link.
