Artist statement

This installation honours the knowledge and legacy of my ancestors that live through me. The images were taken in 1938 as part of the Yarrabah Mission records and show my ancestors Wallace, Margaret and George Singleton. Their faded, water-marked faces still hold our gaze and demand attention after all these years. Floating in front of this record of their existence are three woven shields. Each shield was made by carefully weaving together sticks to ensure that the patterns of their shadows would overlay the images and create powerful and dynamic marks. I added ochre to the faces of each shield to connect back to traditional shields. The shadow is the connecting space between now and 1938; an 85-year difference. I want audiences to know that this connection will always be felt and cannot be erased.

Process

I found these water-damaged, faded images of my ancestors in frames at my grandfather's home.  They connected strongly with me. I wanted to create shield-like shapes by weaving with rainforest species that connected with the land of my family. I bound and marked sticks on each shield with ochre that I had collected myself from Country. I worked to find a way to make the shadows from each shield fall across the face of my ancestors to convey that the memory of their presence will always be entwined with the land we walk on now.

About the artist

I make my artwork to express my feelings and thoughts throughout different stages of my life. My work seems to focus on both personal or cultural loss and gain. I make my art by reflecting deeply in the moment, whether this is going on art excursions or camps or just sitting quietly with materials before finding my inspiration. Art means being able to show my cultural identity as an Aboriginal woman. My art is very personal for me because it is my way of expressing my connection to my culture. 
I want to build an arts career to communicate my beliefs in an inspirational way and to educate others about the beauty of my culture and what we can all learn from the knowledge of my ancestors.