Context Notes

From reading an article written by George Augustus Robinson on the making of sea worthy canoes by 19th Century Tasmania Aboriginal people and made from different types of bark and reeds, I decided to make my own version of bark water craft. I used bark from the swamp tea tree known as paper bark. 

I also referenced a research paper written by Rona Hollingsworth a curator at Hobart Maritime Museum. This was the start of my study of the original watercraft models to create my first canoe. 

Up to date I have now built five paper bark canoes the latest measuring 4.5 metres in length. I decided to make bark canoes because:

•  I was fascinated by how people could create such structures without what would be currently considered 'basic tools' and yet produce a seaworthy watercraft; 

• To show that such a craft could be constructed using the simplest hand tools such as scissors, twine, glue and using my knowledge and experience of sea conditions and boats in general; 

• It is an important Tasmanian Aboriginal people’s craft practice that needs to be revived and for us to do this we need to learn the knowledge and practice the skills; 

• To be able to pass on the knowledge I have learnt to my family, my son, my grandson and other Aboriginal men the art of making today’s contemporary designed bark canoe.