Spirit Of Place
Uncle Warren Taggart, Allan Chawner, Carol Carter
- Opening: Saturday 24 June 2023 | 2pm
Uncle Warren Taggart is a Wonnarua elder and teacher of Aboriginal Culture. In 2021 he collaborated with photographers Carol Carter and Allan Chawner to publish ‘Spirit of Place’, a beautifully presented book which documents important Aboriginal sites through a large section of Country – Wonnarua, Darkinung, Awabakal, Dharug – in the Hunter Region. This exhibition at Singleton Arts + Cultural Centre presents many of the fascinating photographic images that are included in ‘Spirit of Place’ alongside a selection of cultural objects from Uncle Warren’s personal collection.
‘Spirit of Place’ began through Uncle Warren’s commitment to recording significant sites in the region. The 2021 book was dedicated to his father, Stan ‘Tommy’ Taggart, who passed on his knowledge of caves and rock engravings, his warmth, and his great love of Country. Uncle Warren’s collaboration with Carol and Allan emerged from his desire to show the sites, and the shared recognition that photographic images would allow the public to view important locations without harming them. Many of the sites are very fragile and protecting them is crucial.
Our elders would walk with us, sit with us and tell stories. We would listen, watch and learn in order to understand our culture, our lore. Every part of this traditional land of the Wonnarua people tells a story and through the eyes of ancestors and elders we can see it, we can feel it. Our land is a part of us and always will be. Our ancestors have walked this land for thousands of years and still walk it today. Our ancestors’ footprints are left behind so others can follow to keep our culture and dreamtime alive.
Uncle Warren Taggart
