The Courting Blakness art show included work by indigenous peoples.

By Bobbie Chew Bigby

Since beginning as a Rotary Peace Fellow at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, earlier this year, I have found many opportunities to build peace and not even have to leave campus.

One of the most profound experiences thus far was volunteering to put together “Courting Blakness,” a curated art show that featured works by Australia’s First Peoples — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The show was set against the backdrop of the Great Court, known for its picturesque grassy area and stunning sandstone pillars.

Through “Courting Blakness,” eight Aboriginal artists were able to use art to insert an Indigenous perspective — a critical lens helping us to see ourselves, others, and the living world around us in a very different way.

As a Rotary Peace Fellow, I am sponsored by the Rotary Club of Southeast Tulsa and here in Brisbane am hosted by the Brisbane Planetarium Club. I am deeply grateful to both of these clubs, as well as all people engaged with Rotary, who have made this opportunity for dedicated study about peace and conflict resolution nothing short of a life-changing reality.

About the author: Bobbie Chew Bigby is a 2014-15 Rotary Peace Fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia, pursuing a masters in International Studies, Peace and Conflict Resolution. She received a bachelors in Chinese Language, Literature and Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis.