Hunter Page-Lochard (IMAGE: © Lisa Tomasetti).

The anticipated exhibition, Cleverman, is coming to Orange Regional Museum.

Cleverman goes behind the scenes of the ground-breaking sci-fi television series of the same name. Exploring First Nations storytelling, language and creativity in production design, costumes, and props.

This exhibition invites visitors to listen-first and immerse yourself in a powerful and contemporary expression of origin stories.

The exhibition was made by ACMI and ACMI’s First Nations curator Kathrine Clarke (a proud Wotjobaluk woman from the Wimmera) and co-curated by Cleverman concept creator Ryan Griffen and production designer Jacob Nash, in close consultation with a multi-disciplinary Indigenous Advisory Group.

Orange City Life had the chance to converse with Museum Manager Mary-Elizabeth Andrews online about the exciting upcoming exhibit.

How did the Cleverman exhibition come about at the museum?

Cleverman has been on the Museum’s schedule for some time now. We are very interested in bringing excellent quality exhibitions to Orange to complement our own local history exhibitions. These represent a variety of topics, to offer locals a chance to see diverse exhibitions from top state and national institutions without having to travel to Sydney, Melbourne, or Canberra to see them.

Cleverman comes to us from the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne – a museum with a great reputation for innovative and engaging exhibitions. We were drawn to this exhibition because it deals with First Nations storytelling in a contemporary context and includes many of props, costumes, and artwork from the Indigenous-led television series.

What will the exhibit be showcasing? What can locals expect to see?

The exhibition has a really interesting mix of interactive and AV components, original props and costumes and artwork. The exhibition explores First Nations storytelling, language and creativity through production design, costumes, and props, and invites visitors to listen-first and immerse themselves in a powerful and contemporary expression of Indigenous origin stories. Including original props, costumes and character designs by WETA Workshop as well as interviews with the cast and crew and original artwork from the comic book series, the exhibition experience maps the making of the television series with stories from Aboriginal dreaming and mythology.

What does it mean to have Cleverman exhibiting in Orange?

It’s wonderful to be able to bring this exhibition to Orange. The exhibition should appeal to fans of the series but also stand alone as a celebration of contemporary Indigenous creativity and storytelling.

It’s been a challenge with trying to get this exhibition organised alongside COVID setbacks. Could you please comment about the museum’s dedication in bringing Cleverman to Orange?

We were mid-install when the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne Councils were placed on a 7-day stay-at-home order. Due to the changing situation we had already cancelled our opening night event, but we had to put the installation on hold. We’re all looking forward to getting back to it and completing installation so we can open the exhibition to the public – hopefully by the end of next week. We’ve also negotiated a short extension to the exhibition so visitors will have plenty of time to see it. And, of course, while we’re installing there’s always our fabulous local history exhibition, Inherit: old and new histories, which is packed with local objects and stories.

Deborah Mailman (IMAGE: © Lisa Tomasetti).