Ivana Thian

Honours

“Kuk nak dayung samak kuk,
Suok tanak bedapod nga sengi,
Sindok tean tengon kiyuh,
Asong bara barai
Berayun beragu diang derod.”

Holding knowledge and wisdom of my grandfathers, entrusted and bestowed upon me through intergenerational dialogue, these stories are digested and recited inside installations honouring my cultural heritage. Through mystical rituals and ceremonies, my lecture performances navigate invisible entanglements between Indigenous Malaysian knowledge and institutional rhetoric. I sing and speak my grandfather’s wisdom to smooth the sharp tongue and soften the edges of space.

Ivana Thian, Maternal Entanglements: Asong Bara Babai, a symbol is a heavy burden, lace and voile curtain, chiffon, polyester, steel, lace trim, silver bowl, ceramic, brass bells, glass bowl, rice, shell, glass decanter, new moon water, grandfather’s voice, mother’s stories, 2022. Documentation by SLACK.

Ivana Thian, Maternal Entanglements: Asong Bara Babai, a symbol is a heavy burden, lace and voile curtain, chiffon, polyester, steel, lace trim, silver bowl, ceramic, brass bells, glass bowl, rice, shell, glass decanter, new moon water, grandfather’s voice, mother’s stories, 2022. Documentation by SLACK.

Ivana Thian, Maternal Entanglements: Asong Bara Babai, a symbol is a heavy burden, lace and voile curtain, chiffon, polyester, steel, lace trim, silver bowl, ceramic, brass bells, glass bowl, rice, shell, glass decanter, new moon water, grandfather’s voice, mother’s stories, 2022.

Ivana Thian, dream excerpt, ink on paper, 2022.

Ivana Thian, Maternal Entanglements: Asong Bara Babai, a symbol is a heavy burden, lace and voile curtain, chiffon, polyester, steel, lace trim, silver bowl, ceramic, brass bells, glass bowl, rice, shell, glass decanter, new moon water, grandfather’s voice, mother’s stories, 2022.

Arthur Nyakuengama

Caeylen Fenelon-Norris

Christy Chudosnik

Devika Bilimoria

Eleanor Newbound

Jackson Mclaren

Mardi Denham-Roberts

Thomas Retallack

Veronica Charmont

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campus is situated, the people of the Boon Wurrung and Woi Wurrung, who have created art, made music and told their stories here for thousands of generations. We also acknowledge and extend our respect to the Traditional Owners of all lands on which our work is viewed, shared and enjoyed, and to all Elders, past, present and emerging.

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