News
6 March, 2025
Combining histories
THE Abbey Museum unveiled their latest artwork on February 28, with a sculpture by Kabi Kabi artist Lyndon Davis now welcoming visitors at the entrance of the museum.
The sculpture, called ‘Acknowledgement to Kabi Kabi Country’, consists of two large bronze shields, with various patterns carved into them and covered in colourful plastic-like material to fill the gaps.
The inspiration for the sculpture’s design came as Mr. Davis wanted to depict shield-making trees, having originally chosen four trees before settling on the Fig Tree and Bat Wing Coral Tree. The patterns of the shields are meant to reflect the patterns of those trees, while the coloured plastic-like material pays tribute to the Abbey Church’s stained glass windows, with the afternoon sun, reflecting through the sculpture, causing a stained glass shadow onto the museum.
“Our artwork comes directly from our surroundings,” he said. “You look out into any bush and our artwork is that: the wings of a bird, the patterns in a bunya nut, the scales of a fish, the pattern in a dragonfly wing... all of those shapes.
“I was asked what my traditional art style was and I said ‘that’s easy, just look outside’. Pick what you want.”
Vice-Chair of the Abbey Museum Boards, Ann Baillie, said having the sculpture out the front of the museum would acknowledge to all visitors that the Abbey Museum is on Kabi Kabi land and show respect for their custodianship.
“I hope that the sculpture designed by Lyndon Davis will encourage all our visitors to think about First Nations art, culture, and history, the oldest surviving continuous culture on earth, as they enter a museum that houses collections from around the world, dating back a million years.”
Shadow Minister for Closing the Gap and Reconciliation, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Seniors and Disability Services and Integrity, Leeanne Enoch, said this artwork showcases the importance of telling the story of places, “regardless of cultural background”.
“Every time people come here they will be reminded of the story of this peaceful and beautiful place,” she said.
“I hope they will take away with them a very small part of this story, that will become part of their story, and go with them wherever they might travel from then.”
