In this public lecture, Yamaji Artist Charmaine Green will discuss the journey of the Yamaji Art Centre over the past eight years with a group of astrophysicists inspiring unique sky yarning conversations and an international touring art exhibition.

Antennas belonging to the Australian SKA Pathfinder and the Murchison Widefield Array are located in the traditional country of Western Australia’s Wajarri peoples, and sit silently listening to radio waves from the early Universe. Placement on country has inspired a unique relationship between astrophysicists and Yamaji artists, including traditional owners.

On trips to visit the site, these two groups of people began to strike a bond over the night sky and Star Yarning about the different ways of looking at the night sky and the world. The journey reinforces to the Yamaji artists the importance and power of narratives in their world, and the right to reclaim that power through Star Yarning. Professor Lister Staveley-Smith, ICRAR Director of Science at UWA will be present to provide some insights into the fascinating science behind the technology.

This talk is presented by the UWA Cultural Precinct, the Institute of Advanced Studies and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).