
Sites in the dark
2023, Giclée print on Enhanced Matte Paper, 59.4 x 84.1 x 10 cm each
This work stands as an ode to the heritage of Wangkumara, an invitation to feel the raw emotions tied to returning to Country, and an opportunity to contemplate the implications of cultural absence in modern times. Through photography and its interplay with light and darkness, we embark on a journey of reflection and understanding, seeking to bridge the gaps between the past and the present, and to honour the enduring spirit of the land and its people.
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Sites in the Dark captures the essence of Wangkumara’s rich heritage through black and white photography. Embracing photography as a powerful tool for decolonization, the work sheds light on the elusive connection between Aboriginal identity, culture, and Country. Large and imposing rock formations are common on Wangkumara Country, and hold deep spiritual importance. But due to the impacts of colonisation, these sacred sights have been damaged, removed and disrespected.
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Through captivating immersion, Bradshaw aims to evoke the profound experience of returning to Country, an encounter both deeply significant and disconcerting. Exploring the awe-inspiring rock formations, steeped in the legacy of Wangkumara's Dreaming, brings about an overwhelming sense of absence permeated in the land. The silence and obscurity, like a dark veil, left little trace of the Aboriginal people and their profound connections.
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It is the artists aim to present not only the physical landscape but also the emotional landscape of Wangkumara, the echoes of longing and belonging that resonate through the lens.