ARBOREAL ALTERATIONS: Tree modification and meaning making from the past to the present
November 2-3, 2023
FINAL CALL FOR PAPERS – closes 14 August 2023
Within Australia and the Pacific region carved inscribed, marked and modified trees are an important expression of Indigenous and non-Indigenous visual cultural practice and heritage. The broader category of culturally modified trees includes scarring from canoe and implement manufacture and other cultural activities, as well as non-Indigenous practices of blazing and memorialising. Culturally Modified Trees have become a growing area of enquiry. In recent years carved and marked trees have also been an inspiration for contemporary Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists. However, these ancient trees are increasingly under threat due to accelerating land clearance, as well as bush fires as climate warms and storms become more frequent. This symposium will investigate arboreal alterations covering historical, archaeological, art and contemporary perspectives.
Please send a title, 200 word abstract, author(s) names and any affiliations by Monday 14 August 2023 to Harry Cope (Harry.Cope@anu.edu.au) for consideration. Some funding may be available to assist Indigenous contributors to participate (contact sue.oconnor@anu.edu.au).
The symposium is hosted by the ARC ‘Archives in Bark’ Special Research Initiative.
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