Art
Broome
:
Magabala Books
,
2022
24959053
2022
selected work
poetry
'ART is the second collaborative poetry work from Charmaine Papertalk Green and John Kinsella. It is a formidable call and response piece that builds on the stunning dialogue the two authors began on paper in False Claims of Colonial Thieves (2018). While ART is a collaborative work, each poet’s contributions are presented independently. They showcase their talents in a dynamic exchange, working innovatively to present a poetic response to artworks.
'The focus of their attention is a series of paintings by the late Nyoongar painter Shane Pickett. Pickett’s work provides provocation for both poets to reflect on their own lives and histories on Nyoongar country. Their interwoven dialogue examines the politics of the contemporary art world, of museums, archives, and galleries.
'The book also features a conversation between Charmaine and Shane’s son Trevor Pickett, which discusses Shane’s life, influences and the significance of his painting and worldviews, along with a selection of visual works by Charmaine.' (Publication summary)
Nganajungu Yagu
Melbourne
:
Cordite Press
,
2019
16924590
2019
selected work
poetry
'Forty years ago, letters, words and feelings flowed between a teenage daughter and her mother. Letters writen by that teenage daughter – me – handed around family back home, disappeared. Yet letters from that mother to her teenage daughter – me – remained protected in my red life-journey suitcase. I carried them across time and landscapes as a mother would carry her baby in a thaga.
'In 1978–79, I was living in an Aboriginal girls’ hostel in the Bentley suburb of Perth, attending senior high school. Mum and I sent handwritten letters to each other. I was a small-town teenager stepping outside of all things I had ever known. Mum remained in the only world she had ever known.
'Nganajungu Yagu was inspired by Mother’s letters, her life and the love she instilled in me for my people and my culture. A substantial part of that culture is language, and I missed out on so much language interaction having moved away. I talk with my ancestors’ language – Badimaya and Wajarri – to honour ancestors, language centres, language workers and those Yamaji who have been and remain generous in passing on cultural knowledge.
'–Charmain Papertalk Green' (Publication summary)
