One of the joys of reading……

…is the ability to plug into the shared wisdom of mankind.

I had a very bookish week this past week. I began the book Flights by Olga Tokarczuk. It won the International Booker in 2018. As I began it I immediately became confused so had to google a few reviews. From that I learned the book is comprised of 116 vignettes if the world of travel and those who are constantly on the move in our world. Knowing this I am now sorted. I need to finish it for Feb book group so I will stroll through this book to uncover its secrets. I have not read this author’s work before but the Guardian states that she is a household name in Poland.

I attended a book launch of Ian Terry’s photographic historical trip of George Augustus Robinson at Fullers during the week. Uninnocent Landscapes.

Together with over fifty sharply observed and carefully crafted black and white tritone images, Uninnocent Landscapes features an introduction by Tasmanian art historian, curator and essayist Greg Lehman and essays by Rebecca Digney, Roderic O’Connor, Nunami Sculthorpe-Green and Ian himself. These provide an invitation for open and honest dialogue to better understand the past and current impacts of invasion and colonisation of lutruwita in general and of George Augustus Robinson’s ‘Friendly Mission’ in particular. The conversation was facilitated by Stephanie Cahalan, non-fiction writer and researcher. (Fullers event blurb)

For more than two years Ian Terry followed the route of George Augustus Robinson’s 1831 Big River Mission, which is credited with ending frontier violence in Van Diemen’s Land. Accompanied by 13 Aboriginal envoys, Robinson walked around central Van Dieman’s Land before meeting 26 survivors of the Lairmerrener and Paredarerme people. He promised them safety if they stopped fighting the colonists. They met with Governor Arthur in Hobart shortly after and were transferred to Flinders Island, where almost all died.

Ian’s project was to photograph the landscapes Robinson passed through as an act of truth-telling about colonisation and dispossession, and acknowledgement that his fortunate life in lutruwita/Tasmania comes at the expense of Aboriginal Tasmanians. (Tas Museum)

It was a very well attended, interesting evening.

I also went to Theatre Royal Thursday evening with a friend to see another bit of history from Tasmania.

Jane Franklin and the Rajah quilt, the story of ex governor Sir John Franklin and his wife Lady Jane Franklin.

Another enjoyable evening.

Other things to share below:

A bit of Hygge set up at home next to my reading chair to get me through dreary days.

And…

Photography this week was a bit limited by life being too busy and unpredictable weather. I had watched a you tuber photographer, Mark Denny talking about making photos into stories. The main photo is the overall landscape and the follow up 2 or 3 photos make up the parts. I will leave you here with the story of the reserve behind our house.

Stop and notice the tiny items in the world.

What fun thing did you do this week week? 🌲🌲🌲