Within ‘Snap Blak’, ‘Community POV’ (or ‘point of view’) celebrates photographers whose collaborative approaches centre and empower community self-representation. 

Visual representations of Indigenous people and culture in popular media have long contributed to discriminatory definitions and denial of contemporary identity. With increased opportunity and access to photomedia technology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are redefining themselves through photographic practice. In presenting their own perspectives on culture, politics and belonging, they produce powerful alternative visions of community life. 

Tony Albert and Naomi Hobson worked with the communities of Warakurna and Coen, respectively, to produce energetic expressions of joy and individuality. The participants led the artistic direction in each project, showcasing dynamic youth cultures and their unique perspectives of the world. In each project, the artist’s investment in mentorship of upcoming generations paves the way for the future of creative output in these communities. 

Relationship-building is an essential element of community-based photography. Ricky Maynard’s series ‘Returning to places that name us’ presents striking portraits of Wik Elders involved in a landmark Native Title determination. His black-and-white compositions, in extreme close-up, draw viewers in to focus on the faces of these individuals, reflecting the intimacy of the reciprocal relationships he cultivates. 

Brisbane-based photographer Michael Aird’s documentary images portray local community members at pivotal moments in the 1980s. The works are intimate in scale – reminiscent of family photographs – reflective of Aird’s connections to the people photographed and his role as an active participant in these events.