Returning

by Kirli Saunders

'Mate, you're standing on stolen land.'

Returning is a stunning work - a poetic and visual feast that takes you on Kirli's journey of rediscovering self, Country and Connection. Kirli's heartfelt experiences address large contemporary themes of decolonisation, self-determination, Identity, First Nations matriarchy, queerness, justice, love, liberation, and truth-telling. The backdrop to Returning is a time of huge upheaval with natural disasters, COVID and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Each poem is accompanied by evocative and poignant artwork that was created in response to its poem and vitalises its meaning. The artworks, visual poems, were originally shown at SHAC Gallery, Gundungurra land, in 2021 in the exhibition named Returning. Kirli's multi-disciplinary artworks span across a range of mediums and displays, including but not limited to water colour, ink on hand-dyed silk, synthesising digital imagery with text, and installations of hand-crafted possum skin cloaks and weavings.

Returning was developed with consultation and guidance from First Nations Elders, Custodians, academics and artists.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Kirli Saunders is a proud Gunai Woman and award-winning writer, artist, and consultant. An experienced speaker and facilitator advocating for the environment, gender, racial equality and LGBTIQA+ rights, Kirli was the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year (2020). In 2022, She received at OAM for her contribution to the arts and literature, her books include The Incredible Freedom Machines (Scholastic, 2018), Kindred (Magabala, 2019), Bindi (Magabala, 2020), Our Dreaming (Scholastic, 2022) and Returning (Magabala, 2023).

Reviews

[Marles Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

“go back to the land
back to the land
to the land

and let her heal you
when an ending arrives.”


Another book for NAIDOC week: this is truly a feast for the mind and eyes. Kirli Saunders’ poetry and art is so beautiful, and addressed themes including decolonisation, self-determination, Identity, First Nations matriarchy, queerness, justice, love, liberation, and truth-telling. Unity fns shape between poetry and art. Poetry is one of Kirli’s tool for decolonisation in action.

The artwork for each poem tells a story; it conveys its meaning through colour, shape and its story. poems are written about the art, the art is created from the poetry and they are in response with each other in such a symbiotic relationship on this book. The artwork called to me to look and listen with my heart to the words I was reading. I was inspired and reflected what I was reading when I saw the poem in language I could not speak and to understand the place and ancestors that gave the world this language that was nonce taken away and is now returning to being heard, challenging the disruption of learning the languages of Country.

“and like them
when you’re gone
we’ll carry your song”

[Amy Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....

Returning, is a collection of poetry and art by proud Gunai woman Kirli Saunders (OAM). It is a body of work about Returning to a true self and the perfect way to wrap up my 2023 reading.

The collection spans themes of decolonisation, self-determination, truth-telling, First Nations matriarchy, queerness, justice, identity, love, and liberation. Presented in four section, Ochre + Eco glitter, Kin +Country, Rage + Grace, and Healing, each poem has an accompanying artwork that was either created to inspire the poem, or made I'm response to it. Returning is an amazing, immersive read/visual experience.

"𝙸 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗
𝙱𝚁𝙰𝚅𝙴
𝚠𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚋𝚎𝚕 𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚜𝚎
𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚙𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚘𝚖 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑"

As usual, with all collections, there were some pieces that really resonated, in particular Brave, Calls to Home, You Will Never Cry Alone, and A Reminder. Would recommend this one for poetry readers!

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought together originally for an exhibition, this poetry and art collection translates well to the printed book, reflecting on the pandemic years with Saunders' characteristic direct and resonant lines. Divided into sections, I found the Kin and Country and then the Rage and Grace most compelling. There's something about how Saunders writes about our world that sings "a smattering of sunsetting colour holding space for the stars" or "I bend to the ashen rubble of the earth". It did still feel, ultimately, though, like a shadow of something else. I wish I'd seen the exhibition.

[Penny Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book to savour. The stunning art complements compelling poetry that weaves together themes of colonisation, home, land and kindred. It is powerful and lyrical and deserves full attention. Joy and grief co-mingle in these pages. Take your time and be nourished.

[Tiff Wasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, beautiful, and Queer. I loved this collection of artwork and poetry so much. I've read this in poems, taking my time to absorb the work and pictures. It was amazing!

[Jazz Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the inclusion of visual arts in this book. Very beautiful. Very powerful

[Halle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Communicating strong and hearty messages through a unique simplicity that resonates loudly. I love Kirli's work and her admiration for nature and Country and her People.

[Thuhufa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars for poetry + 5 stars for the art = averages out to be 4 stars overall

[Caddyshack Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caddyshack three word review:
Powerful, compelling & luminous

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite lines:

"afternoon clouds blush
at young ones who paint
themselves
with ochre"

From Black is Beautiful in Kin + Country