Last updated:

May 29, 2024

Exhibition launch

The public are invited to the launch of “occupation studies”, a collection of audio-visual works made by Tahlia Palmer during the first Creative in Residence Program at the Victorian Archives Centre.

Palmer is an interdisciplinary artist of Murri and European descent, living in Narrm / Melbourne, who explores history, identity and perception. She works to interrogate the impact of colonisation on people and Country, and to unpack and heal inter-generational trauma in her own family.

In February, Palmer was selected as the first Creative in Residence at Victoria's State Archives. Following a competitive judging process of more than 70 applications from artists, musicians and writers across the state, our independent judging panel were impressed with Palmer’s demonstrated ability to navigate archival materials with sensitivity and appreciation for the power of public records in storytelling.

Over the past three months she has been using this residency to research into Public Record Office Victoria's land and water management records, learning "glimmers of intimate details of the bureaucratic processes which enabled bending and breaking of Country according to biopolitical racism and profit driven directives." These explorations have resulted in a series of hypnotic video works that "invite audiences to reflect on their relationship with history, Country, and the socio-economic disparity on this continent."

When: 5:30 - 7pm, Wednesday 19 June 2024

Tickets are free but bookings essential: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tahlia-palmer-occupation-studies-exhibition-launch-tickets-909477069397