Drawing on years of research and collaboration with artists and art centres in Western Australia, Yiwarra Kuju explores the story of the Canning Stock Route and its impact on Aboriginal Australians. After intensive consultation, this exhibition was developed for both the National Museum of Australia and as a touring exhibition.
FRD created this design concept in partnership with arts organisation FORM and the National Museum. The works of senior and emerging artists were utilised alongside the stories of traditional custodians, allowing the visitor to become immersed in these cultural and historical perspectives. The colours of the Western Desert formed a key component of the design process by providing a sense of geographic context for the visitor, enhancing the visual offering of works on display, and distinguishing sections of the exhibition while maintaining a thematic consistency throughout.
Appealing to a broad audience was another crucial aspect of the design process. Sensory, emotional and intellectual engagement was ensured for an audience with a diverse cultural, educational and age background. This was achieved through communicative exhibition elements which conveyed personal stories and themes, reinforcing objects on display with clear hierarchies of information.
