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Aboriginal models forced to look overseas

By Ilya Gridneff

10 January 2007 - THE beauty of Aboriginal women may be the "essence of Australia - strong, proud and unique" - but few people in this country appreciate it.

For that reason, the backers of a calendar promoting indigenous models expect more interest from overseas than in Australia.

Foxtel's Next Top Model finalist Shannon McGuire is among more than 300 girls aged between 16 and 25 who have applied to be featured in the calendar, Unearthed 2008.

Co-ordinator Sharnee Hegarty said Aboriginal beauty was more respected abroad than at home.
"It's sad but most of us and the girls are used to this," Ms Hegarty said.

"It's been little steps, but nowwe've decided to take some large steps with the calendar. There's been interest from Europe and America."

A similar calendar five years ago was treated as a novelty experiment and failed to take off, Ms Hegarty said.
"But ours has had unprecedented support from all fields.

"Australia is really missing out. These girls are no less than the models the industry already uses, and their difference shines.

"Aboriginal girls need to feel comfortable with their look and the beauty in their Aboriginality. The perception of Aboriginal beauty in the broader Australian context is changing. Girlfriend magazine picking Samantha Harris as a finalist in 2004 shows this, and there were other benchmarks before - but sadly, it seems all too often interest comes from overseas first."

Internationally lauded photographer and self-styled walkabout boy Wayne Quilliam shot the previous all-Aboriginal calendar, and will also be behind the lens for Unearthed 2008.

He said promoting Aboriginal Australia at home was always difficult.

"In the past 10 years I have had hundreds of exhibitions overseas but maybe five in Australia," Quilliam said. "I believe the beauty of Aboriginal women is the essence of Australia - strong, proud and unique.

"They are the real beauty of Australia - there is a symbolic relationship between their beauty and the landscapes of our country we all now share.

"Aboriginal women have not just beauty but confidence. The look is unique - it's cheeky and there is a sass about it. They are sexy and humble. This spirit comes out in the photography."

Calendar hopeful Candace Williams, 20, from Echuca in Victoria, hopes the exposure will establish her career.

"I am a country girl, and always will be, but modelling is something that can take you places you've never been to before," she said.

"To be around your own people makes you feel more confident - you feel stronger - and I love modelling."

Source: The Australian

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