Lessons in dictation
Artist
Grahame, Noreen
Production date
2007
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Object Detail
Title
Lessons in dictation
Production date
2007
Medium
offset printing on paper, staple-bound
Measurements
24.5 x 19.4 x 0.1 cm
Object type
Edition
4/100
Secondary production details
Publisher: Grahame Galleries + Editions: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Interpretive text
The absurdity of the dictation test as prescribe in Section 3A of the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, is evident in the farce surrounding the 1934 Eugon Kisch incident. Kisch, a Czech national and a Communist, was invited to speak at a meeting organised by The Movement Against War and Fascism. Wanting to prevent him entering the country and speaking, the Australian Government of the day ordered he undergo a dictation test in Scottish Gaelic, a language they were sure the multi-lingual Kisch would not know, would fail and then be deported! Recent discussions about reviving the dictation to prove eligibility for Australian citizenship indicates we have not learned this lesson of history. Noreen Grahame, 2007
Credit line
Mackay Regional Council Art Collection, purchased 2007.
Accession number
2007.31