kamilaroi/bigambul artist archie moore is renowned for politically astute and materially delicate portrayals of self and national histories. this black monograph draws upon the artist’s research with family, community and archivists to celebrate first nations australian sovereignty and kinship ties that span more than 2,400 generations and 65,000 years. this 304-page publication provides insights into kith and kin and the themes of language, justice, and time that underpin the artwork.

contents

1. kamilaroi and bigambul artist archie moore reflects upon the archival material that he uncovered during his familial research. features reproductions of the materials and artist’s commentary.
2. the artist recounts childhood memories in the second person; through his captivating narration the reader finds themselves within the artist’s mind.
3. award-winning bundjalung novelist melissa lucashenko demonstrates that first nations storytelling is a sovereign act in this powerful essay.
4. bundjalung writer and curator djon mundine oam faha provides a lyrical overview of archie moore’s career, linking the artist’s practice with an expansive array of historical, literary, artistic and filmic sources to delve deeper into the ideas and themes portrayed.
5. yuwaalaaray writer, filmmaker, broadcaster, and distinguished professor and laureate fellow at the jumbunna institute for indigenous education and research, university of technology, sydney, larissa behrendt ao, outlines how archie moore’s art shows the strength of first nations knowledges, and makes a clear link between the historical policing of indigenous australians by colonial-settlers and the current over-incarceration of first nations people.
6. writer, scholar, and timothy c. forbes and anne s. harrison university professor of modern culture and media, chair of modern culture and media, brown university, macarena gómez-barris describes upon how kith and kin exceeds western forensic science and brings wonder to genealogical cosmography.
7. kith and kin curator ellie buttrose provides a close reading of the artwork and an in-depth examination of the artist’s process.
8. archie moore in conversation with: author, anthropologist and emerita professor, australian national university, diane bell; field linguist and professor, linguistics, school of languages and cultures, university of queensland, felicity meakins; bundjalung editor and writer, grace lucas-pennington; dhangatti and gumbayngirr speaker and deputy head of the wollotuka institute for indigenous engagement and advancement, university of newcastle, doctor raymond kelly. this discussion covers how language describes and shapes world views; historical attempts to eradicate first nations languages and contemporary revival initiatives; and indigenous australian kinship systems.
9. photographer andrea rossetti captures views and details of kith and kin

credits

editors
archie moore, ellie buttrose, grace lucas-pennington

graphic design work
stuart geddes, žiga testen

publishers
creative australia, spector books