By the Stars, Wind and Ocean Currents

By the Stars, Wind and Ocean Currents garners the notion of reciprocity inherent in the term 'exchange' or trade between the monsoon coast of northern Australia and the Indonesian archipelago.

This is the first in a series of exhibitions to be held at The Cross Art Projects in 2020 about a counter-history of cultural exchanges by contemporary artist networks in the region.

The 'open archipelago' has passed from living memory but memories of extended families, grave sites, rock art and ceremonies survive. Also helping to keep the flame burning are scholarly engagements in anthropology and archaeology and a few museum exhibitions and permanent exhibits.

The standout exhibit is historian Peter Spillett's epic counterpoint to the 1988 Bicentennial of British annexation: a prahau called Hati Marege/Heart of Arnhem Land from a re-created voyage from Makassar to make landfall at Galiwin'ku and Yirrkala, now in the Maritime Museum, Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory.

Powerful prints, exhibitions and actions continue to draw attention to this history. To some, including academic Regina Gantner, “The telling of the Macassan stories has become an act of resistance. It refuses to allow a government decision to sever the link to Macassar, Timor and Sama Bajo places.”

Early relationships were forged by the dynamic sea passages sailed by Makassan (or Macassan) prahaus to harvest trepang across the Indonesian Archipelago and along the northern Australian coastline. Strategically located between western and eastern Indonesia, Makassar was the centre of Gowa Sultanate who adopted Islam (in 1605) with its sword belts and talismanic discs before the sultanate was conquered by the Portuguese.