WRITTEN IN THE LAND: The Life of Queenie McKenzie
This beautifully produced book tells the story of a remarkable Australian Indigenous woman from the very remote and stunning East Kimberley area of Western Australia, Queenie McKenzie. Now deceased Queenie was an important cultural leader and admired aboriginal law person.
Written in the Land - showcases Queenie’s life and story, told frequently with her own words and through the use of her stunning visual story telling. Queenie used her artistic works to teach others about her vibrant culture and her life, and as a way to inspire interest in the special and dynamic relationship she and her people have with land. Queenie was one of Australia’s most collectable Aboriginal contemporary artists. Her style was defined by her unique use of ochres, particularly the rare pink tones that she developed herself.
The Government of Western Australia recognised Queenie as a National Living Treasure shortly before her death in 1998, in recognition of her dedication to her artwork and the cultural leadership role she embodied every day of her adult life.
The stunning boxed limited edition was produced to bring funds to the women of the community to re-establish their traditional law practices, that had ceased as a result of Queenie's death and loss of her leadership. A coffee table format, 208 pages, 235 x 210 landscape; colour throughout is an ideal corporate gift that will be of special interest to the tourism, mining, environment, government, pastoral, museum, heritage, education and arts industries. Containing stunning images and complex information, that appears to have not been presentated in this accessible way before, including the stories of Queenie in her own words. Visit the dedicated book website for more information, or to obtain the details to order the book from the community, a soft- cover version is now available. see below.
To lean more about this community initiated project visit: www.writtenintheland.com
To find out
* About the book and hear the community women talk about it
* The Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra book launches
* Who has been involved in this Community Heritage Project
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Queenie McKenzie painting 'Horse Creek Massacre’
Image taken by Cooee Gallery
Chapter summaries:
Chapter 1.
The story of Queenie's conception, and the significance of the place it happened, for the rest of her life.
Chapter 2.
Queenie's story of her life as it changed with the creation of the cattle station Texas Downs.
Chapter 3.
Resettlement is the story of removal from traditional land, in Queenie's voice
Chapter 4.
Daiwul is the story of the women's sacred site and Queenie's views on the establishment of the Argyle Diamond Mine
Chapter 5.
Artist is the story of Queenie, an acclaimed artist, and the medium she used to return to Texas Downs, her traditional lands she was locked out of for so many years
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