Lustre: Pearling & Australia delved into the gritty human story of pearling, weaving together Aboriginal, Asian and European histories to reveal insights into one of Australia’s oldest industries.
This exhibition explored northern Australia’s unique pearling tradition, the evolution of pearls and pearlshell, and told stories of people who collected and harvested these Saltwater Country treasures.
Lustre was previously on show at the National Museum of Australia from 23 February to 22 July 2018.
Aalingooon riji pearlshell design
Over millennia people have valued pearls as symbols of prosperity, power and beauty
Lacepedes Patches riji (engraved pearlshell) by Aubrey Tigan Galiwa
Strickland Bay in King Sound, Western Australia is a traditional area for collecting pearlshell
The crew of a pearl lugger, Broome, about 1900–20
The pearling industry has survived by adapting to new conditions, markets and competition
Lustre was developed by the Western Australian Museum in partnership with Nyamba Buru Yawuru, Broome’s Yawuru Aboriginal corporation.
The exhibition was developed in close consultation with senior Yawuru, Karajarri, Bardi and Jawi, and Mayala elders from Saltwater Country, and is supported by and is supported by the Visions regional touring program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to cultural material for all Australians.
