S1:E10 On storytelling, leadership, and wisdom – Wesley Enoch in conversation with Criena Gehrke
Guest
Wesley Enoch
In conversation with
Criena Gehrke
Key Takeaways Contributor
Stephanie Fortunato
In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with playwright, artistic director, and Indigenous leader Wesley Enoch about the role of storytelling, leadership and wisdom in elevating and amplifying the voices of Indigenous artists and cultures. They also highlight the importance of advocating for the intrinsic value of the arts, particularly in terms of celebrating differences and encouraging dialogue.
After, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways. They emphasize the critical need to support the next generation of cultural leaders and arts administrators, particularly Indigenous leadership.
Date of Recording
19 October 2021
Date of Publication
11 November 2021
[00:00:00]
[THEME MUSIC]
[00:00:05]
Criena Gehrke: Hello, and welcome to The Three Bells. This podcast is one of a series brought to you by AEA Consulting and The Binnacle Foundation for the Global Cultural Districts Network, in which we explore what's happening around the world on those busy and sometimes congested intersections of cultural and urban life.
The series and supporting materials can be found at www.thethreebells.net and if you like our content, then tell your friends, subscribe and give us a positive review on your podcast listening platform of choice. Today, I'm speaking to you from the land of the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh language region. I acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging across the many lands we are meeting on. First Nations people are our original storytellers and the custodians of culture.
I'm Criena Gehrke and I've got a fantastic day job, which is Chief Executive Officer at HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast. But today I get to indulge in one of my favourite pastimes, which is great conversations. And I am joined by the wonderful Wesley Enoch.
Wesley is a writer and director. He has been artistic director of Queensland Theatre Company and Sydney Festival. Wesley is a proud Noonuccal Nuugi man and has been responsible for some of the most iconic indigenous theatre we have seen on Australian stages. He's also a cultural leader, a strategist, and some would say a provocateur.
Wesley, welcome to The Three Bells.
[00:01:40]
Wesley Enoch: Thanks for having me. Three bells, that sounds kind of ominous.
[00:01:44]
Criena Gehrke: (laughs) It is, there's a long story. And I really encourage people to go to www.thethreebells.net because it actually tells you the story of how we came to be known as the three bells. But you know, it's sparkling and it's going to ring out across the globe, Wesley.
…
External Links
One Woman’s Song: a play by Peta Murray, produced by the Queensland Theatre Company in 1993 – the play tells the story of Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) and the Noonuccal people. Set against four decades of a changing nation, it is the story of a woman's search for her own voice.
Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker): poet, activist, and public speaker active throughout the sixties — Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) articulated the feelings of Aboriginal people for the rest of Australia in a way that they had not heard before.
Celebrating Neville Bonner: Jagera man Neville Bonner AO was sworn into the Australian Federal Senate in August 1971. He was the first Indigenous federal parliamentarian in Australia.
Pat O’Shane: Former NSW magistrate and proud Kunjandji woman Pat O’Shane has had a pioneering career, marked by a series of firsts.
David Hudson's life reflects his love and belief in Aboriginal culture. He comes from the Ewamian (oo-rah-min)/Western Yalanji (people of the north east coast of Australia) so it is natural that he makes his home in Cairns in the midst of the beautiful reef and rainforest…
Ralph Myers: let's keep the dreamers in charge of the arts: the creeping replacement of artistic leaders with managers doesn’t just threaten arts organisations but Australian cultural life, says Belvoir’s artistic director in the annual Philip Parsons memorial lecture…
Sydney Festival director Wesley Enoch speaks to themes that underpin his hand-picked collection of programs exploring Australian culture.
The New HOTA Gallery opened on 8 May 2021 – with unexpected art indoors and out, HOTA, Home of the Arts is a must-see cultural destination.
About Our Speakers
Wesley Enoch is an internationally acclaimed playwright and artistic director. He is the current Indigenous Chair in the Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology. He has written and directed iconic Indigenous productions including The 7 Stages of Grieving, Black Medea and The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table. He was the Artistic Director of the Sydney Festival from 2017 to 2020 and was previously the Artistic Director at Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts and the Ilbijerri Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Theatre Co-operative. +
Criena Gehrke is Chief Executive Officer of HOTA, Home of the Arts. She has a diverse and eclectic background in arts management and a particular passion for the role of arts and culture in building strong and connected communities. She has worked with all tiers of government on the development and implementation of cultural policy. +
Stephanie Fortunato is Director of the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism for the City of Providence. Her work sits at the intersection of cultural planning and urban development, collaborating with local communities on creating policies and partnerships to strengthen neighbourhoods and transform public spaces. +
