Affirmation. A proposition that is true.

Affirmation is a major exhibition that explores truth-telling through a First Nations lens at the Koorie Heritage Trust, Thursday 23 April until Sunday 26 July 2020.

First Nations people, their stories and images have been obscured and manipulated throughout history. Affirmation empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to tell their own stories, capture their own truths, and express themselves through their own lens.

Bringing together some of Victoria’s most exciting multi-disciplinary Indigenous photographers – Paola Balla (Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara), Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung), Tashara Roberts and Pierra Van Sparkes (Pibbulman), each artist will explore the concept of truth in the context of place, ancestral identity and cultural pride.

Paola Balla’s powerful Mok Mok series enacts a version of Mok Mok in performative photography – she is a woman; both spiritual and physical, powerful, free and fearless.

‘’As Aboriginal women, we are at the intersection of colonial injuries including our gender/s, race, class and social positioning. By subverting various forms of art and resistance we create and recreate strategies to respond and express ‘survivance,’ healing and daily acts of resistance and repair,’’ says Paola Balla. 

Deane Gilson’s practise looks closely at the objectification of Aboriginal women by the male colonial gaze and how this has affected Aboriginal women and what was known as traditional women’s business. Artworks look at the colonial disruption of, loss of family, culture, language, traditional women’s practices and how this continues to impact Aboriginal women today.

“My artwork aims to show the history of place and memory, as this is part of my DNA. It acts as a tool to bring back women’s business, the importance of passing down traditional marks and performing ceremonies, along with showing the brutal actions of the colonial men, who abused all of my women. Not one of them escaped the actions of what followed on from the first fleet” says Gilson. “I am taking back my strength, performing ceremony through my art practice and keeping my culture alive today. I am a proud Wadawurrung woman and challenging those that didn’t want us to exist.’’

Each of the artists is available for interview (their bios follow this release).  Public Program details also follow the release.

KHT is proud to acknowledge exhibition partners Creative Victoria, City of Melbourne and the Indigenous Visual Arts and Industry Support Program.

Affirmation as part of Photo 2020 open Thursday 23 April until Sunday 26 July 2020 at the Koorie Heritage Trust, Yarra Building, Federation Square.  Open daily, 10 am – 5 pm. 

Free entry  www.koorieheritagetrust.com.au