Elisa Jane Carmichael discusses her acquired work, Alive II

Elisa Jane Carmichael’s Alive series explore the absence and presence of weaving practices by Quandamooka people over time. Inspired by baskets held in museum collections, this series of works reflect upon and celebrate cultural practices that were suppressed and almost lost as a result of missionary activity on the islands. Alive II is comprised of modern and traditional materials. At the centre of the work is empty space, representing time lost and the unknown. Fish scales and shells capture the spirit and life of Quandamooka Country. Pandanus fringing emanates from the centre, paying homage to the museum collections, beautifully embellished works full of life and personality. The handle is woven from our traditional fibre ungaire, a material which holds many stories.

Late last year we were fortunate to acquire a fibre work by Queensland College of Art alumna Elisa Jane Carmichael. In this new video for Griffith University Art Museum, Carmichael discusses the elements of ‘Alive II’ 2019 and the importance of acknowledging and reclaiming missing stories and cultural practices.
— Griffith University Art Museum.