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Australia: Photos look at Aboriginal changes

By Du Xiaodan

1 December 2008 - CCTV China - The Half Light exhibition provides a snapshot of indigenous Australia dating back to the 1960s.

It was a time when Aborigines weren't even considered Australians, and didn't have the right to vote.

Hetti Perkins, Art Gallery of New South Wales, said, "One of the criteria, not the only one, but one of the criteria for these artists has been to overturn historical representations of indigenous people, either as a dying race, or a noble savage, or constructed stereotypical depictions. And then of course, in more recent times, media depictions of drunks or troublemakers and so on."

The images on show range from fresh portraits to classic shots. The artists were encouraged to challenge stereotypes about Aboriginal people.

Hetti Perkins said, "So I think this exhibition and the work of these artists is important in looking at not only the diversity of our communities but also some positive aspects and also looking at it to have a bit of fun, there's a bit of staging, there's props, there's glamour, and so it really covers all sorts of bases."

The work of fifteen photographers taken over four decades shows a changing Aboriginal society.

Mervyn Bishop's photos record historic moments... from a beaming Lionel Rose, the world champion boxer, to the former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pouring soil into the hands of a traditional land owner.

One of the youngest exhibitors is Geneveive Grives.

Her video exhibit was inspired by the colonial practice of photographing indigenous Australians for anthropological purposes.

Geneveive Grives, Artist, said, "I think the piece actually explores Australian history as well. It explores different parts of our shared history in this country including frontier wars and the stolen generations."

The Half Light exhibition is the first major gathering of indigenous artwork, featuring both photographs and portraits.

It will be on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until the end of February 2009.

Source: CCTV China

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