An exhibition called ‘Unshackled’ opened last week at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG).
Led by Monash University, it reveals how the resilience of convicts led to improved conditions and the end of transportation. It also highlights the stories of the political prisoners sent to Australia, many of whom played key roles in advancing democracy.
As a history enthusiast, I eagerly anticipated the exhibition’s arrival in Hobart. I went along to it the day after it opened with very high expectations.
I was not disappointed.
A variety of artefacts were on display – such as some ankle chains that were once worn by convicts – and in the centre of the exhibition space was a wooden solitary confinement cell. Mini-documentaries, large-scale animated projections, and animated portraits lined the walls.
The exhibition was well laid out and informative. It was clear to me that a lot of time, energy, and research went into it.
‘Unshackled’ will remain at TMAG until 28 July, when it will tour around Australia and the world.
The exhibition is a collaboration between Roar Film, TMAG, and Monash University. It receives sponsorship and funding from the Mineworkers Trust, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, the NSW Teachers Federation, the Trade Union Education Foundation, Libraries Tasmania, and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. It is the culmination of ‘Conviction Politics: The Convict Routes of Australian Democracy’, a four-year ARC Linkage Project by Monash University that features data visualisations, an online hub with 100 documentaries and articles, a book titled Unfree Workers, and educational resources.
Callum J. Jones studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania. He has written fiction and non-fiction for Tasmanian Times since 2018, and can be traced by the smell of fresh coffee.
Follow him on Twitter (@Callum_Jones_10) and Facebook (@callum.j.jones.creative).
