The Other, Other

Jason Wing, 2010, Self Portrait, acrylic paint and cement.

Source: Tandanya

"WOW" is definitely the word for Jason Wing's "The Other, Other" exhibition in Tandanya. Yes, I know that this is probably my third visit to Tandaya but the works displayed there never cease to amaze me. Their changing collection of works over the past few months have not failed once to introduce me to the diversity and richness of Aboriginal art and culture. The different exhibitions have truly inspired me and revealed a whole new dimension of art I once knew so little about and have come to appreciate and respect.


In addition to my ongoing journey of learning more about Aboriginal art, Jason Wing's exhibition is definitely another highlight.

My show explores the issues of cultural identity and aims to challange the stereotypes of what is generally perceived to be "Aboriginal." I used my Chinese, Aboriginal and Australian perspective to comment on current social and political issues, through sculptures, intallations and paintings. (1) 

- Jason Wing

Spirit in the Land

Spirit In the Land Exhibition

Source: Nets Victoria

As I haven't written about my trip to the Flinder's Gallery exhibition called "Spirit of the Land" I went to a while ago (Actually part of our week 5 task), I thought I'd spend some time today writing a bit of what I saw there. So, as the title of the exhibition gives away, the works displayed in the gallery was an amazing collection of artworks, ranging from paintings to sculptural works, of 11 Australian artists, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, expressing their own unique voice and connection they have with with the land we call Australia. What I thought was most interesting of this exhibition was the ability  to see side by side the works of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists depicting a similar theme which allows us to compare and contrast the perspectives these individuals have with the land - what the land means to each person? what their connection is and in what ways does the land inspire them? Moreover, considering the contrasting views of early European settlers with the Aboriginal people during the colonisation era, going to this exhibition I thought would help me discover myself these different perspectives and also see whether or not non-Aboriginal people have any connection to the land like Aboriginal people do? Or do non-Aboriginal people only see Australia as an empty land on which to build or to invest upon, which I've talked about in my "Old Country, New Country" post on a short video I watched about about the different ways Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal see the land.

Cross-cultural collaboration

Source: Mel B

I'm back again with another interesting topic of the week: Cross-culture collaboration. Unlike our discussions which normally evolve around the separation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures and perspectives, this week was a more positive outlook. Over the years, many cross-cultural collaborations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people have occurred - this was shown through several examples in the lecture including the mosaic in front of the Parliament house in Canberra, representing Australia prior to the European settlement, as well as integration of Aboriginal art within the architecture of Musee du quai Branly in France. Even the several sights I wrote about in "Tourist for a Day" around Adelaide I think serves for a similar purpose. As part of reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians, these works of art represent an important symbol of how the contemporary society has moved on since the times of colonisation and also as a sign acknowledging Aboriginal art and that Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the land. It shows a coming together of two cultures, embracing each other and especially giving back the recognition and respect to Aboriginal people what was once stripped away from them - these works each represent a positive step in coming closer to a society and world that upholds equality and celebrates its diverse and unique cultures.

Three boys. One Skin. One dream.

Source: SBS

Preparing for "catching-up" time over the study break, I decided to borrow several Aboriginal dvds from the library which I thought would be interesting. Maybe a bit too overambitious by borrowing 4 dvds at one go, I only ended up watching two. The first one was "First Australians," which you can read about in one of my previous posts, and I just finished watching the second one called "Yolngu Boy." Being someone who loves watching movies, Yolngu boy was another beautifully narrated and eye-opening movie with some very intersting themes.

If I was White

If I was White

The world would make

more sense to me

If I was White

I could walk down the street

and people would pay no particular

attention to me.

It may not seem like much

but if you've ever had a

shopkeeper tell you to

Buy something move or move on, or

simple follow you around the shop,

it's significant.

If I was White

I could go to church

and Jesus Christ would

look like me.

Imagine Christ images all the over

world being black.

If I was White

I wouldn't be asked if I was

Fullblood, Half-caste or part White.

If I was White

I could say This land

has been in my family

for three generations

If I was White

I could say My family

have lived on this loand

for two hudnreed years

If I was White

I could say My father worked hard

to buy this land.

If I was White

I would not hear other White People

say to me you don't look like you

have a lot of White in you, or

You don't look White.

If I was White

My fair skin

would not be such an issue

with other White People.

But I am Black

and I am as musunderstood

as the next Blackfella

But I am beginning to understand the White Man. (1)

Vernon Ah Kee