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Cultural identity explored through photographsPhotographs on loan from The Vizard Foundation Collection of the 1990s and from a local private collector feature in the current exhibition in the International Power Hazelwood Community Access Gallery at the Latrobe Regional Gallery. By Latrobe City Council - 12th April 2005 - Back to News Gallery Director, Louise Tegart said that indigenous artists Leah King-Smith and Darren Siwes extend the photographic medium to create dreamlike images that raise questions of race and cultural identity.
"Queensland artist Leah King-Smith’s work first came to prominence in the early 1990s through her series of photographs entitled ‘Patterns of Connection’. King-Smith participated in a project which involved the research of 19th century photographs from the State Library of Victoria collection. These photographs of Aboriginal people were taken throughout Victoria, between 1860 and 1910, by professional European photographers for ethnographic or commercial purposes.
"King-Smith superimposed these 19th century images over her own photographs of the Victorian landscape. Parts of these images were then painted over before rephotographing and printing in large-scale Cibachrome. Through this layered combination of the past and present, King-Smith addresses indigenous concerns and issues, reclaiming their identity. Those portrayed have their dignity restored and are no longer victims of colonisation and objectification," Ms Tegart explained.
"Also invoking layers of cultural identity, Darren Siwes uses double exposure to superimpose ghostly figures amongst present day South Australian landmarks which are important culturally and historically. A traditionalist when it comes to photography, Siwes avoids methods such as digital enhancement to create the images he desires. In some cases he may re-shoot the image several times until the desired effect is achieved," Ms Tegart said.
Ms Tegart added that Siwes, a young artist whose work is becoming highly sought after, has a strong interest in history, politics, philosophy and cultural dynamics, including class inequities.
"These themes are all prevalent in his work in which he, and sometimes his wife, feature as the protagonist. Often within his images a well dressed Aboriginal man stands in front of a church, a train station or other building of note, signifying his integration into a white community and his detachment and alienation from it both past and present. Location and time become important themes in the investigation into race and identity," Ms Tegart explained.
"Both King-Smith and Siwes encourage the reassessment of contemporary conceptions of Aboriginality within the evolving Australian landscape," Ms Tegart concluded.
This exhibition continues until Wednesday 27 April, 2005.
The Latrobe Regional Gallery is located at 138 Commercial Road, Morwell, and is open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, and on weekends 11am–4pm. The gallery is closed public holidays. For further information about exhibitions at the gallery, please telephone 5128 5700. Admission is free.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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