The Whaler's Tale

The Whaler’s Tale is a 12-minute film created by Roger Scholes and Greg Lehman. The film tells of the extraordinary story of the life of Aboriginal Tasmanian William Lanney (1835-1869).

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following may contain references and images of deceased persons. This story and subsequent conversations may be upsetting as the details of our dark past are told.

From the artists:

“The life of Aboriginal Tasmanian William Lanney [1835-1869] has been overshadowed by what happened to him after his death. Few of us know anything about his extraordinary life... You would have to dig into the archives or online to find out about the remarkable events of Lanney’s life - a life which offers deep insights for us today into the turmoil C19th Van Diemen’s Land - Tasmania - lutruwita.”

The film is part of a larger artwork, The Lanney Pillar, a sculptural installation created in collaboration by Roger Scholes and Greg Lehman, displayed in Franklin Square form June to August 2021. A shorter excerpt of the film is displayed in a viewing box that forms part of the sculpture.

The Lanney Pillar is the second artwork in a series of temporary artworks that respond to the Crowther Statue located in Franklin Square as part of the Crowther Reinterpretation Project.

More information, including Roger Scholes and Greg Lehman’s full artist statement, can be found at https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Crowthe...