Translations, an Autoethnography: Migration, Colonial Australia and the Creative Encounter

Translations is a personal history that combines colonial anthropology, creative practice, and migrant ethnography to explore the phenomenon of contemporary migration in Australia. Paul Carter argues that migrant space-time is not linear but turbulent, vortical, and opportunistic, and that before-and-after narratives fail to capture the work of self-becoming. He calls for a new definition of the stranger-host relationship based on recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty and advocates for creative practices that break the cycle of repeated invasion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2021
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Translations is a deeply personal narrative that weaves together the fields of colonial anthropology, creative practice, and migrant ethnography. Renowned postcolonial scholar, public artist, and radio maker, UK-born Paul Carter has embarked on a remarkable journey to document and explore a diverse and innovative body of writing, sound installations, and public space dramaturgy produced in Australia. Through his work, Carter seeks to present a fresh perspective on contemporary migration, challenging traditional narratives that fail to capture the complexities of self-becoming and perpetuate colonialist fantasies.

Carter argues that migrant space-time is not a linear progression, but rather a turbulent, vortical, and opportunistic realm. He challenges the notion of before-and-after narratives, recognizing that they fail to capture the transformative work of self-becoming. Instead, he proposes a new definition of the stranger-host relationship, grounded in the recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty. Carter refers to the creative practice that disrupts the cycle of repeated invasion as "dirty art," emphasizing the importance of challenging dominant narratives and fostering less violent exchange rates, symbolic literacy, creative courage, and the emergence of resilient migrant poetics.

In Translations, Carter weaves together a rich tapestry of experiences, drawing from his own migration journey, collaborations with Aboriginal artists, and his academic research in postcolonial studies. He explores the complexities of borders, both physical and symbolic, and advocates for a reimagining of borders as crossing-places. Carter believes that framing less murderous exchange rates, promoting symbolic literacy, encouraging creative courage, and nurturing the emergence of a resilient migrant poetics will be essential in shaping a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Through his visionary work, Carter challenges us to think beyond the confines of traditional narratives and to embrace the complexities and diversity of the human experience. Translations is a testament to the power of art and creativity to transform our understanding of migration and to inspire us to build a more inclusive and just society.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 160 x 283 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526158048