Baaba | 2017 – present | Black and white photographs, printed onto composite aluminium panels | 30 x 30 cm
These photographs represent Baaba (father) and acknowledge the important role they have as wise and knowledgeable cultural leaders who connect us to people and Country. These men contributed works and shared stories about their life and experiences.
My involvement with Looking Through Windows grew from Film Through 1000 Images in 2015, and has brought together groups of Elders and community members from the areas surrounding Brewarrina, Bourke, Armidale and Cambelltown. The Looking Through Windows team engaged, and continues to engage with, the community. These include families of the five major language groups in the New England region, the Dunghutti, Anaiwan, Kamilaroi, Gumbayngirr and Banbai; groups from Northwest NSW including Ngemba, Muruwari, Gamilaraay, Barkindji-Kurnu, Burrabindja; as well as the descendants of the Wangkumara, Kooma and Kunja people from southwest QLD who now reside in Bourke, Brewarrina, Weilmoringle, Enngonia and surrounding communities.
It has been over time that relationships developed and people chose to be photographed, to have their portrait be included in the larger body of work. They chose me, when they were ready - not the other way around. I can’t emphasise enough the exchange of trust felt during this, the welcoming and weighted responsibility understood, as I was included with these communities during such a poignant time of sharing, of healing. The works, Baaba, the word for father in Wangkumara and Miimi, the word for mother, represent and acknowledge the important role these Elders have as wise and knowledgeable cultural leaders, who connect people, Country. The practice of working with these people is a collaborative process.
The images are shot using 6x6 medium Kodak Tri-X film. The process involves more time within that physical space; a pause. By working in digital to capture the gatherings, and then film for the portraits, it was interesting to see the shift in relationship between myself and with the subject.
During the gatherings Looking Through Windows ignited lots of ground was covered. Specifically, stories of the ‘old days’, life under 'The Act' and control of the Aborigines Protection and Welfare Boards. The produced body of work is a touring exhibition that encompasses a broad variety of mediums that explore the removal, dispossession and ‘protection’ of Aboriginal people by the NSW government’s Aborigines Protection/Welfare Boards of 1883-1969. Stories, memories and experiences were recorded together. The process allowed communities to access, take ownership, share and return stories, experiences and memories. Only material endorsed was/is included in the produced body of work.
The travelling exhibition opened at the New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale in November 2017 before being shown in Brewarrina, Bourke and Sydney during 2018 and 2019. The broader exhibition brings together artists with Dr Lorina Barker, each who have used a fusion of art forms and technology to document the lived stories, experiences and memories of Aboriginal people across the New England and North West regions of NSW. The group of local artists, filmmakers, musicians and an oral historian include Brendan Blacklock, Laszlo Szabo, Lyndsay Urquhart, Beth Macraild O’Loughlin, Simon Mellor, Kim Scales, Matt Pilkington, Cherene Spendlove and Kimberley Barker. The exhibition also features the works of community based artists Aunty Jenny Shillingsworth, Aunty Rita Wright, Aunty Verna Barker, Uncle Brian Irving, Brian Smith and Derek Moran.