Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
The University of Sydney Library acknowledges that our buildings, collections, and practices exist on unceded Aboriginal lands. We recognise the diversity and knowledges of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students across all the lands the University stands on, and respect the ongoing connection Aboriginal people have to these lands, their cultural practices, knowledge systems and histories. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, who have handed down custodianship to each generation for more than 60,000 years.
Money, J. (2021). Yilabara (Now). Filmed on Gadigal Country. Commissioned by the University of Sydney Library
Listening Back exhibition at the Conservatorium
Julia Russoniello and Victoria Monk installing the Listening Back exhibition
Centring on historical Conservatorium staff members Cyril Monk and Phyllis McDonald as well as student Patrick Moore MacMahon ‘The Flying Fiddler’, Listening Back comprised of relics and resources that revealed information about the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s significant history.
Curated by violinist and PhD student Julia Russoniello in collaboration with artist Victoria Monk (who is related to featured violinist Cyril Monk), the show featured various ephemera that gave voices to long forgotten echoes from the Conservatorium of Music’s past. The exhibition celebrated the deep, rich history of the Conservatorium with a familial touch.
This exhibition was celebrated with a launch event on Friday 15 September. Julia Russoniello and Victoria Monk activated the research exhibition through a symposia on the works of Cyril Monk and his peers, as well as Victoria’s memories of her grandfather and her creative process in creating the exhibited sculptures. Julia also played excerpts from Monk’s historical music scores on violin to reimagine his musical works.
Listening Back was on display at the Conservatorium of Music Library from 10 August – 6 October 2023.
Julia Russoniello performing on the violin
Victoria Monk installing the Listening Back exhibition
Julia Russoniello and Victoria Monk installing the exhibition