Blue Bird "I should try and climb this, see how far I can get; I feel like a blue bird in a cage." Mark. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) 2019

Naomi Hobson works with youths in her home community of Coen, Cape York, to tell their unique stories in their own voices. Her collaborators are empowered to lead their own narratives: taking an active role in the composition of their shoots, they each contribute a story that becomes the title. The resulting photographs in the ‘Adolescent Wonderland’ series are energetic expressions of individuality and identity, set against the complex systems that seek to define them. The artist explains:

I wanted to give a voice to my young people so that the world can see them: their energy, vibrancy and sense of humour . . . I use photography to give my people a voice from the perspective of a black person speaking with black people. Being from the Community of Coen and sharing life’s experiences with Cape York people, there is an intrinsic trust and oneness that exists in these photographs. While the camera is always present, it is also invisible – we just talk and capture the essence of the moment.