Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling

In 2013, The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork was returned to Western Australia into the care of the John Curtin Gallery by Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, following its chance discovery there in 2004. This collection of distinctive drawings, were created by Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families and detained at the Carrolup Native Settlement, in Western Australia, in the 1940s. These treasured artworks are a compelling testament of the Stolen Generations that speak strongly of the steadfast resilience of Aboriginal people against the greatest of odds, and their enduring, deep spiritual connection to Country. Fulfilling a long-standing commitment to create a new permanent home for The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork, Curtin University launched this ambitious Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling project in 2020. Carrolup Coolingah Wirn: the spirit of Carrolup children, opened in 2021 in a newly refurbished display space at John Curtin Gallery as a precursor to the Centre for Truth-telling. This exhibition will continue to evolve as a prelude to the Centre’s new development on the ground floor of the Gallery building. In 2023 we are very excited to launch the CBD portal for the Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling. This will extend the Centre’s reach into the heart of the City of Perth, housed within one of the city’s most significant heritage landmarks – the Old Perth Boys School at Curtin 139, St Georges Terrace. To find out more: curtin.edu/carrolupcentre

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: THOMAS JACKAMARRA, CLIFF RYDER, ONCE KNOWN ARTIST AND SIMPSON KELLY AT CARROLUP NATIVE SETTLEMENT, FEB 1950. PHOTOGRAPH BY VERA HACK, COURTESY OF THE NOEL & LILY WHITE COLLECTION.