Art beyond conflict: social exchange and reconciliation directives

Contemporary Australia and notions of multiculturalism and diversity at times are hindered by concepts of dualities such as ‘majority, minority or white and black’.1 Complex issues of identity marginalization experienced by Indigenous Australians are often reduced to what has become known as Indigenous and non-Indigenous. The limitation of two distinct terminologies risks perpetuating a counterproductive duality evident in contemporary Australia. For many people heritage informs a sense of self and place in society, and in Australia this is apparent through notions of the frontier, the arrival of British invaders and their history of ideas. However, as is wellknown, settler societies wreaked havoc for traditional owners and had a rich and persuasive mythology that included deeply ingrained views of racial marginalization.