This paper examines parallels between Aboriginal knowledge paradigms and key principles of Systems Theory.
Twentieth century scholarship in Cultural Anthropology was instrumental in formulation of ˜whole systems thinking’ that underscores multidisciplinary imperatives of contemporary scholarship. Through analysis of artworks as epistemological examples of Aboriginal knowledge paradigms, this paper argues that the contemporary ethos of multidisciplinary academic discourse is indebted to Indigenous knowledge paradigms such as those embedded in an Aboriginal worldview.
About the Presenter:
Dr Sally Butler is a Senior Lecturer in Art History at the University of Queensland, specialising in the areas of contemporary Australian art, contemporary Australian Indigenous art and cross-cultural critical theory.
Sally is the author and curator of the 2007 book publication/international touring exhibition titled Our Way, Contemporary Aboriginal Art from Lockhart River and is one of the editors of the Australia and New Zealand Journal of Art.
Other publications include editing the book Fully Exploited Labour, Pat Hoffie, 2008 and author of book chapter in international anthology on the Arnhem Land artist John Mawurndjul. Sally is also a former Associate Editor of Australian Art Collector Magazine.
