“Multiculturalism is Australia’s most successful social experiment”
Julian Burnside AO QC Human Rights and Refugee Advocate
Australia’s reputation as a multicultural society has been tarnished in recent times by the antics of our politicians, yet Australians in general are a welcoming bunch who recognise the amazing contribution that migrants have made to our country over the decades. Without the diversity of our multicultural communities, and our Indigenous peoples, this nation would be the equivalent of plain, white bread.
Celebrating this multiplicity is at the heart of the portraits that feature in a new exhibition by Sydney photographer Louise Whelan: African/Australians. This body of work is part of a larger project Louise has been working on for several years – to document more than 180 nationalities that live in New South Wales (NSW). Initially commissioned under the auspices of the State Library of NSW, the project has now expanded to include others states such as Queensland and Western Australia. There is also a book, New Settlers, which was released in 2013.
‘African/Australians’ is the next installment in a project that she says continues to evolve “just as we are as a nation”. These portraits feature people from Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan and South Sudan, encapsulating the diversity of Australia’s African migrant population.
In this series Louise has combined both her documentary practice as well as her fine art portraiture, creating real depth in the narrative. These portraits are rich, not only through Louise’s masterful use of colour, but in their celebration of the courage of those who have left behind everything they’ve known to make a new life.
“My affiliation with Africa-Australia was born out of a friendship made with Bahati Salami who arrived in Australia 16 years ago having survived the Rwandan genocide,” says Louise. “I soon discovered that her notable characteristics of gratitude and optimism are a common attribute with many other African Australians. I see the bold colour and contrast in these images as a metaphor for this optimism and hope”.
Many of those she has photographed were professionals in their native countries – teachers, engineers, and doctors – who had to start again. Others were born in refugee camps, or have lived in limbo for more than a decade waiting for their refugee application to be processed.
Louise says the migrants she has met over the past few years hold a strong desire to assimilate into Australian society and to contribute and Louise has subtly incorporated iconic Australian imagery in many of the compositions reflecting that aspiration. But they also want to honour their traditions so as not to forget their roots. “They have a great sense of community, of helping each other also. Something the Anglo Celtic culture seems to have lost”.
In true documentary style, Louise has gotten to know her subjects by spending much of her time with them minus her camera. “Trust is crucial,” she says. “Taking the photograph is the easy part. These people are inviting me into their communities, into their homes, and sharing intimate moments and that doesn’t happen without developing relationships. Many are victims of terrible violence and carry that trauma with them, yet they are so welcoming”.
“This work is about building relationships and trust with my fellow Australians, a trust that I will represent people accurately. I see this as privileged work. Many of the people who I have photographed and interviewed have become part of my life … my friends,” she concludes.
EXHIBITION
African/Australians
Louise Whelan
Until 22 March, 2015
Customs House
31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay
Sydney
Australia
http://www.louisewhelan.com.au
http://www.sydneycustomshouse.com.au
