‘the phrase ‘kith and kin’ now simply means ‘friends and family’. however, an earlier old english definition that dates from the 1300s shows kith originally had the added meanings of ‘countrymen’ and also ‘one’s native land’, with kin meaning ‘family members’. many indigenous australians, especially those who grew up on country, know the land and other living things as part of their kinship systems — the land itself can be a mentor, teacher, parent to a child. the sense of belonging involves everyone and everything, and for first nations peoples of australia, like most indigenous cultures, is deeply rooted in our sacred landscapes from birth until death. i was interested in the phrase as it aptly describes the artwork in the pavilion, but i was also interested in the old english meaning of the words, as it feels more like a first nations understanding of attachment to place, people and time.’ archie moore