PHIL11-160: Indigenous Australian Art and Philosophy

In this subject you will journey through the history of philosophical perspectives on the power and purpose of art. You will explore the interplay between western theories of art (from the role of art in life and society to the role of the artist and the observer) and art as it is practised in Australasia, such as in Indigenous Australia, Papua New Guinea and Māori culture. You will have the opportunity to visit the Queensland Museum of Art as well as study Bond University’s vast Indigenous Australian art collection. You will analyse the contemporary artists who adopt the medium of art as a means of truth-telling about Australasia’s colonial past, and unravel the profound connections between artistic expression, philosophy, and cultural narratives. This subject fosters a holistic appreciation for the transformative potential of art from a variety of worldviews.