un/tethered: connections through storytellers from Papua New Guinea

About

Un/tethered brings together the stories of six creative women from the Papua New Guinea diaspora community in Queensland as they explore belonging and connection. Through objects carefully selected from their homes and the Queensland Museum collection, they examine cultural anchors, adaptations and the quiet ache of distance. Discover how the evolving nature of identity is woven through all we’re tethered to and all we’ve lost.

Thank you to the six participants and their families:

• Kiri Chan
• Stephanie Donigi
• Paia Ingram
• Ranu James
• Kirsten McGavin
• Natalie Richards

About Independence Day

Papua New Guinea’s Independence Day is celebrated both at home and in communities across Australia: a time to come together and celebrate the community’s strength and resilience. The 50th anniversary in 2025 marks a profound milestone of reclaimed sovereignty for the country and its people. Colonial rule in Papua New Guinea ended on 16 September 1975 with the appointment of the country’s first Prime Minister, Michael Somare, whose vision for nation building laid the foundation for the country’s future.

Accessibility

This exhibition features: background soundtrack, very low light and projection/video. For accessibility assistance and resources for this exhibition, including a sensory map and large print guide, please visit the museum’s accessibility page or contact the museum on (07) 3153 3000.

Acknowledgements

Queensland Museum acknowledges the First Peoples – the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters and sky where we live and work. We honour their unbroken connection to Country, culture, and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future. We recognise our shared history and commit to embedding First Nations voices in Queensland’s continuing story.

We extend our respects to Elders of the Papua New Guinea community who have made significant contributions to our community’s cultural fabric and worked hard to increase awareness and visibility of the diaspora community’s identities, histories, heritage and experiences.

Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders are advised that this display contains images and accounts of people who have passed away. We also advise that any racist and derogatory language contained in the display is ‘of its time’ and does not reflect the contemporary views of Queensland Museum. We have preserved this to help our audiences understand both past and ongoing experiences of Australian First Nations people and as part of our commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Exhibition portrait photography by Joe Ruckli.