Identity, Representation and the Colonial Archive - Ali Gumillya Baker

Summary

The speaker reflects on the significance of Aboriginal representation and visibility in art, critiquing colonial portraiture and historical erasure. Drawing on personal and family histories, they explore the resilience, sovereignty, and beauty of their communities while addressing the impacts of colonial violence, systemic racism, and domestic servitude. Using recycled materials and inventive portraiture, they assert agency and control over self-representation, embedding layered stories into their work for future generations. Their art celebrates Aboriginal dignity and identity, turning historical silencing into a powerful affirmation of presence, legacy, and cultural sovereignty, inviting audiences to see and honor these narratives.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Representation matters: Aboriginal people must be included in art and cultural narratives to be seen and acknowledged.
• 📸 Visibility and beauty: The speaker emphasizes the lack of representation of the beauty and sovereign blackness of Aboriginal life in museums and broader society.
• 🖼️ Historical framing: Colonial portraits give certain individuals importance, and the speaker explores how to mimic and subvert these elements to reclaim power.
• ♻️ Resourcefulness: Using discarded materials in art reflects both creativity and lessons from elders about working with what is available.
• 🌏 Connection to land: The speaker reflects on the West Coast of South Australia, highlighting the harsh but beautiful environment and its cultural significance.
• 🩸 Impact of colonialism: The work addresses the violence, racism, and dehumanization brought by colonial invasion and social Darwinist ideas.
• 👵 Family histories: Many Aboriginal families experienced domestic servitude, shaping generational experiences and perspectives on labor and race.
• 🧹 Themes of cleaning and assimilation: Historical expectations of Aboriginal women as domestic workers and symbols of cleanliness reflect imposed racial hierarchies.
• 🖼️ Reframing narratives: The speaker highlights the importance of self-representation, flipping the gaze, and embedding stories into archival materials for future generations.
• 👑 Celebrating sovereignty and beauty: The work aims to honor Aboriginal communities, asserting their importance, resilience, and regal presence.

Q & A

What is the main concern the speaker addresses in terms of representation of Aboriginal people?

The speaker highlights the lack of representation of Aboriginal people, specifically focusing on the absence of visible and celebrated depictions of Aboriginal beauty and sovereignty in art and museums. They express frustration with the silencing and marginalization of their community in historical and contemporary portrayals.

How does the speaker view colonial portraits and their influence on perception?

The speaker is interested in the framing techniques of colonial portraits, which traditionally depict people as regal and important. They seek to mimic and subvert these elements to challenge and shift the power dynamics inherent in those portraits, turning the relationship on its head.

What role does the speaker's use of discarded materials play in their artwork?

The speaker uses discarded materials, like bottle tops and pill bottles, to create their artwork. This use of 'rubbish' symbolizes resourcefulness and reflects the broader theme of 'making do with what you have,' drawing connections to both historical survival and the persistence of Aboriginal people amidst adversity.

How does the speaker describe the land and environment of their family's origin?

The speaker describes their family's land as the Nullarbor, a vast and challenging environment with the world's longest sea cliff face and expansive skies. It's a place that requires intimate knowledge of nature for survival, symbolizing resilience and respect for the larger natural context.

What is the significance of the speaker's reflection on the violence of colonialism?

The speaker reflects on the brutal impact of colonialism, including violence, dehumanization, and the loss of land. These historical wounds continue to shape their identity, influencing their art and exploration of Aboriginal history, particularly around racism and the legacy of social Darwinism.

How does the speaker connect the history of Aboriginal domestic servitude to their work?

The speaker touches on the personal history of their grandmother and aunties, who were involved in domestic servitude, often without pay. This history of exploitation and forced labor highlights themes of power dynamics, racial hierarchies, and the ways in which Aboriginal women were rendered invisible in colonial society.

What is the deeper meaning behind the speaker's critique of cleanliness and whitening in colonial narratives?

The speaker critiques the colonial association of cleanliness with whiteness, where Aboriginal women were often employed as cleaners, a role tied to notions of purification and assimilation. This reflects a broader attempt to erase Indigenous identities and replace them with the values of colonialism.

How does the speaker view the power of framing and representation in photographs?

The speaker believes in the transformative power of framing and representation, asserting that through photography, Aboriginal people can reframe their identities and histories. By controlling their own image, they can assert agency, reclaim their narratives, and ensure their stories are included in archives.

What role does storytelling play in the speaker's approach to art?

Storytelling is central to the speaker's artistic process. By attaching personal and familial stories to their artworks, they aim to create a layered narrative that not only addresses the trauma of the past but also reasserts the dignity and strength of their people.

How does the speaker express their hope for future generations of Aboriginal people?

The speaker expresses a vision of hope for future generations, suggesting that their descendants can find their family's history through these artworks. They envision a future where these representations offer both a reminder of past injustices and a celebration of the beauty and resilience of Aboriginal culture.