The Magic Carpet of Multiculturalism – 2025

Oil on canvas. H52 x W60 cm

A ‘family of Batonka Drums (from Southern Africa) forms a still life group. They are formed up on an Aladdin-like carpet of astro-turf (an ersatz grass). They could well have fairy-tale aspirations in their new enterprise. The still life ‘family’ stands in an illusionistic landscape with an idiosyncratic Telstra Tower in the upper left, rising into the broody sky behind a hill – placing it in the Capital City of Canberra. Canberra itself, was built on a swamp – between the State Capitals of New South Wales (Sydney) and Victoria (Melbourne) – A typical colonial compromise.

Combining the genres of still life and landscape in one image is somewhat apocryphal in traditional terms.

Metaphorically this is a large-ish family of immigrants – ‘new’ Australians, who have brought along their cultural heritage. This is reflected in the typical African coloured patterns incised on their surfaces.

The policy of multiculturalism in Australia welcomes people of divergent cultural backgrounds and the Policy’s intention is not only to assimilate newcomers, but also encourages the celebration and retention of their own distinctive mores and traditions.

Batonka drums originate from the Zambezi Valley. They are made from hollowed-out tree trunks covered in tough game hides like African Buffalo. They are considered to embody the soul of Africa. These membranophonic instruments are the progenitors of modern day Conga drums.