The Jimmy Possum chairmaking tradition has a living and continuous 150-year connection to the landscape, history, and people of the Meander Valley of Northern Tasmania. The mysterious artisan who reputably lived and worked out of a hollowed tree, gave the tradition its name. He was followed by other chairmakers, who maintained yet reinterpreted the traditions defining design. This presentation draws out this history and outline what makes this tradition important and how it is remaining relevant.
Dr Ashley Bird has developed a rich career in the arts and cultural sector in Tasmania with more than a decade of experience in commercial galleries and education in creative practice at UTAS. As a practicing artist and Senior Curator of the Visual Art and Design Collection at QVMAG Ashley’s focus is to nurture creativity and be a professional custodian of QVMAG’s unique and important fine art and decorative art collection.
The Royal Society of Tasmania acknowledges, with deep respect, the traditional owners of this land, and the ongoing custodianship of the Aboriginal people of Tasmania. The Society pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that Tasmanian Aboriginal Peoples have survived severe and unjust impacts resulting from invasion and dispossession of their Country. As an institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, the Royal Society of Tasmania recognises Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices and seeks to respect and honour these traditions and the deep understanding they represent.
On 15 February 2021, the Royal Society of Tasmania offered a formal Apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Read more