PRIME MINISTER
SPKECBY TE PRflIE MINISTR THE HON PJ KEATING MPl
AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY, PARIS 8 JUNE 1994
Thank you for inviting me to open this exhibition of
works by the women of Utopia.
I will pretend to no expertise in these works of art:
but I will say this.
The art and culture of indigenous Australians is a
wellspring of the national culture, and the more we make
it so the richer will we all be.
Increasingly, I think, we respond to Aboriginal art and
music and iconography, not out of curiosity, but out of
recognition. However limited our understanding of their meaning, we
see something in these paintings which is familiar to us
whether it is the colours, or the abstracted landscape,
or simply the " abrignalitya or RAustralianness" of the
themes and design.
A change has come about in our response to Aboriginal art
and I think that means our hearts and minds are opening
up to the place and the people. I think it means that we
are learning.
In a sense that is what is meant by " reconciliation" of
the indigenous people with other Ausltii-aians.-
It means not just making amends for past wrongs, great as
the wrongs have been.
Nor is it just a matter of compensation, though
compensation is certainly due.
Reconciliation means recognising how much we have to give
each other.
It is more than the giving and receiving of material aid
important as that is. it is more than the goods of our
culture in exchange for the destruction of theirs. U 762
I think we will know we are making progress when our
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians alike find pre
themselves thinking less about what can be given
Aboriginal Australians, and more about what they can give That
US. a cc
tha.
This exhibition might help to get us thinking along these Aboz
lines. it
These works of art by the women of Utopia shape our image hel;
and understanding of the Australian landscape and Inte
remind us how much they have always been shaped by
Aboriginal culture. I mi
ever
They tell US something about who we are and where we f it UtOF
in the story of the continent. priv Crea
They are a reminder that it is important for AUJ of us,
to have a story. This
Holm
And from that we might reach the conclusion that all our Aust
stories will be richer if we bring them together. Aust
We non-Aboriginal Australians have a lot to learn from Fina.
the Aboriginal story which is inseparable from the land weale
itself. noti
It has taken us a long while to read the lesson in that, anot
but I believe we are reading it now. it i
There is also a contemporary lesson for us in the way
Aboriginal people pass on their stories and the lessons
they contain from generation to generation. Australian
society generally will be stronger if we do the same.
in turn, the lesson is that the best thing we can return
Aboriginal Australians is a connection with the land.
At one level, this exhibition is a testament to the
resilience of Aboriginal culture a reminder that for
all-the destrui-ci6 Eukopeans have wrought on it, their
story and their art is stronger.
it is therefore a reminder of just how important culture
is in the scheme of all things and why governments and
communities must make it a central concern.
It is all the more ' appropriate I suppose that we should
be reminded of this in Paris.
At another level, the exhibition simply reminds us that
at Utopia we have some great artists producing images of
intriguing beauty and power.
Either way, we are reminded of the heritage late
twentieth century Australia has been delivered. It is a
living heritage of immense benefit to our culture and to
our future, and we have a great responsibility to
preserve and nurture it.
Five That is why the late Robert Holmes a Court, Jane -t Holmes
a Court, and the Holms-a Court Foundation deiserve our
~ 1inksforthe support and encouragement th ey have given
ese Aboriginal art and artists over the years.
It is also why I am proud that the Australian Government
age helped to bring this exhibition to France through the
International Cultural Relations program.
I might also say I take a little extra pleasure this
it Uetveonpiian'g s fgrroema tr eacratlilsitnsg, thEamti lyt woK nqyweaarrsr eyaeg, o aIn dm eth ado net heof
privilege of presenting her with an Australian Government
Creative Fellowship.
This evening I should also thank the Curator of the
ur HAoulsmtersa liaa nC ouArmtb asCsoaldloerc; t ioann, d ALnynne TuBirto, d y; t heA laDni reBcrotwonr, oft hethe
Australia France Foundation here in Paris.
d Fwienlaclolmye, inI wpoaurltdi culliaker tNoa nctyh anPke tyyoaur rea llw hof ora t cvoemriyn g, s hoarntd
notice has made an epic trip from one artistic capital to
another. it is now my pleasure to declare this exhibition open. U 7~;