Description

Edible stories from the food bowl (2018)

During time spent in Greater Shepparton as part of MPavilion’s Regional Program, Edible stories from the food bowl was developed through various conversations about food with local communities on Yorta Yorta land to create an alternative map of the area, revealing personal narratives attached to the food culture of the region. Using the Kaiela (Goulburn River) to locate the voices of nearby residents—and prioritising local knowledge and stories over physical landmarks—the map features observations on the evolution of the area as told by its residents, revealing unexpected and meaningful connections to food, land and Country.

The fifth-largest city in regional Victoria, Shepparton is at the heart of the ‘food bowl’ of Australia, with much of its growth attributed to agricultural industries including fruit, dairy, cattle, sheep and grain production.

The map was launched in Shepparton at The Connection, situated off the Midland highway between Shepparton and Mooroopna, by the culturally significant location of The Flats—the site that became home to many Aboriginal peoples following the historic Cummeragunja walk-off in 1939.

Special thanks to everyone who shared their stories and became part of this map including; Uncle Neville Atkinson, Belinda Briggs, Felicia Dean from The Connection, Glenda Alexander from Tatura Hot Bread, Evelyn at Yiche, Simon Taylor from SPC, Paddy from Tatura Dairy, Jo from Minutoli Orchards, Jenny Lovel, African House and Cactus Country.

MPavilion Q&A here

View map here

Commissioned by MPavilion as part of their Regional Program in collaboration with Shepparton Art Museum.
Thanks to the MPavilion team: Brendan McCleary, Sam Redston, Sarah Lynn Rees and Jessie French and Rebecca Coates from SAM.