This artwork is a map of Naarm, that pinpoints the locations of the Readings bookstores, and highlights the importance of continuing to share stories and knowledge. It pays homage to the histories that have occurred on this sovereign Blak land, and encourages everyone to continue actively decolonising through engaging in education, ethical knowledge sharing and continuing the transmission of stories to pay homage to the past, and create a better future.

Stories have been flowing through mouths on this land, for as long as the waters have moved through, and shaped the mouths of the rivers. They have been flowing simultaneously since time immemorial, and have a symbiotic relationship; as without one there cannot be the other. Although they are separate and inform each other, they are both one and the same.

They shift and change from their surroundings, and are not only informed by their context, but also dictate it. They transform but are also transformative, and are manipulated to fulfil their purpose - which at their foundation is to feed, nourish and navigate.

Storytelling is the foundation of my culture, and how we interpret, experience and share within the land we exist upon. It is stories and the distribution of knowledge that allows us to create a strong, loving, reciprocal and informed relationship with all things around us, to learn from the past, contextualise the present and care for the future.

Although the methods of sharing important knowledge has changed in more ways than one since colonisation, the land continues to collaborate in the creation and transmission of knowledge. The waterways that flow through Naarm, not only sustain our ability to continue thriving, creating and sharing knowledge, they carry and transmit these stories with them, as they have seen and experienced all things that have occurred since the beginning of time. It is so important for knowledge to be shared, and places like bookstores are amazing facilitators for the continued transmission of knowledge.

Always was, always will be: Sovereign, Blak, Land.

About the artist

Ghostgum - aka Madi Mercer - is a proud Wadawurrung woman that lives and creates in Naarm (Melbourne). She grew up with her family on Boonwurrung, Wurundjeri, Wiradjuri, Gadigal and Wadawurrung Countries, and has been settled in Naarm since beginning her graphic design degree. Her works are an extension and expression of her cultural identity, as well as a representation of what she sees, feels, hears and knows while experiencing the world.

Her works aim to highlight the importance of respecting and acknowledging Blak land, and invites us to invest in a personal relationship with all aspects of the beautiful Countries we reside upon. Madi asks us to challenge the perception of ‘reality’ that the colonial system has instructed us to believe, and consider that the knowledge we weave into our belief structures should be based in, and reflected by our natural surroundings, and the relationships we have with them.

Puzzle size is 736mm x 584mm