Maree Clarke

Prato project 2012

Maree ran a series of workshops with the local community to produce a unique cloak, similar to those worn by her ancestors for ceremonial purposes, but featuring textiles woven in Prato instead of possum skin.

It has been fantastic working with the Prato community on the Prato Textile Possum Skin Cloak Project. Like our Possum Skin Cloak workshops back in my community in the south east of Australia, it is always very rewarding to bring people together to share their skills, knowledge and stories to pass down to the next generation. That's how you keep culture alive.

Maree held the public exhibition Ritual and Ceremony at the end of her residency to share the cloak and other works she produced during her time in Prato.

Maree gifted several of her paintings and photographs, as well as the cloak, to our campus. Visitors are welcome to come and view the works here.

Background

Maree is a Yorta Yorta / Wamba Wamba / Mutti Mutti / Boonwurrung woman.

Her practice is intertwined with her Australian Aboriginal cultural heritage and focuses on reclaiming traditions. She has created traditional garments and jewelry. She has explored designs used on hunting shields.

With fellow Koorie artists, Maree created the possum skin cloaks that featured in the opening ceremony of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Some of Maree’s works are held in the Monash University Collection.