Indigenous Art, Culture & Design Week 3

This week in our lecture we watched the continuation of Episode 1 of Art+Soul. In this week's episode we meet artists Destiny Deacon and Ricky Maynard.

Destiny Deacon
 

Meloncholy, 2000, polaroid



Destiny deacon is of Torres Strait Islander decent, and briefly remembers being homeless as a child after her family relocated to Melbourne. Deacon's work is often a social commentary on the urban experience and often features her 'home' as the stage for her constructed photos, utilising whatever is at hand that could possibly assist her in representing certain issues, including her endless collection of black dolls.  Deacon's images present both a celebration and critical eye on domestic life.

Whilst Deacon's work is quite conceptual in nature, it raises the question on wether or not it is necessary for the viewer to be provided with a history/background of the artwork in order to truly understand its context.

Ricky Maynard





Ricky Maynard is a  Flinders Island based photographer who's portraits of his community create an intimate dialogue between photographer and subject. His photographs explore the notion of what it is like to be black in an urban landscape and are autobiographical in nature. Maynard explains that he is haunted  by his past as much as he is proud, and views his photography as a healing process. Intrinsic to his work is the importance of returning home and is intent on capturing the history of excile in Tasmania.





Wik Elder, Joe, 2000



Wik Elder, Gladys, 2000





Wik Elder, Arthur, 2000

A notable series of Manyard's entitled 'Returning to Places that Name Us' depict the last of the first Tasmanians (Wik Elders) and the hardships that they have endured. These images are beautiful in their representation and can almost be viewed as a metaphor for 'country'.

Manyard's photos are extremely emotive and successful in depicting the histories of his people and I truly admire and appreciate his work.

Check out the continuation of  Episode 1 of Art+Soul: http://www.abc.net.au/arts/artandsoul/video/extra1.htm?type=extra

SOURCES:

 Ricky Manyard Images: http://www.stillsgallery.com.au/artists/maynard/index.php?obj_id=series_02&nav=2

Destiny Deacon Image: http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/58/The_First_20_Years/70/33396/