Analysis: Asemic Cartography - Selections from "Mapping Terra Nullius" by John R. McConnochie (Australia)

From Mapping Terra Nullius by John R. McConnochie (Queensland, Australia) 

(November 2025) (Image Courtesy of the Artist)

Asemic Cartography - Selections from Mapping Terra Nullius 

by John R. McConnochie

by De Villo Sloan

Among the many promising sub-genres of asemics evolving globally, I want to spotlight asemic texts rooted in cartography, both its practical and conceptual aspects.

A current master of asemic cartography is Australian visual poet John McConnochie. In this post, I share excerpts from Mapping Terra Nullius, a vispo series McConnochie has published online, although currently uncollected and fragmentary.

I noted in a recent review of digital, AI-assisted asemics by Miekal And that some of the most important asemic work being published today is digital and mutating beyond the classic printed book formula. 

From Mapping Terra Nullius by John McConnochie (October 2025) 

(Image Courtesy of the Artist)

“Terra nullius” is a widely used Latin term translating to, “no one’s land.” McConnochie, an artist whose work often carries distinct ideological messages, makes subtle allusions to European colonization and systemic violations of the rights of indigenous peoples.

For me John McConnochie’s maps reference the Romanticized, pseudo-rational, often confused, attempts to chart and claim the world during the Age of Discovery. Mapping Terra Nullius provides remarkable deconstructions of colonization myths.     

From Mapping Terra Nullius by John McConnochie (October 2025)

(Image Courtesy of the Artist)

Beyond the ideological level of his work, McConnochie explores the unique symbol systems and rules of composition embedded in cartography. Asemics reduce the logic and narratives of cartography into incomprehensible, non-existent worlds. Nameless, enchanted places connect us to the mystery and imagination that is at the root of our fascination with maps.

In previous essays, I have emphasized my belief that visual poetry – including asemic writing – must necessarily incorporate the abstract principles of “textuality” in order to deliver a composition that reaches meaningfully into the poetic realm.  

Maps – as found material and resonant symbol systems – currently serve as inspiration for our innovative visual poets. I encourage you to explore this fascinating area.

 

-     - De Villo Sloan

November 28, 2025

Elbridge, New York, USA

From Mapping Terra Nullius by John McConnochie (October 2025) 

(Image Courtesy of the Artist)

From Mapping Terra Nullius by John McConnochie (September 2025) 

(Image Courtesy of the Artist)