Week One - Post Colonialisation
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Artist: Tracey Moffatt
Tracey Moffatt is a significantly iconic Australian contemporary photographer and filmmaker. In her photographic series, Something More, 1989, she successfully tells a narrative that revolves around the Indigenous people’s history and the relationship between the white and black Australians at that time. Through the use of signs and symbols, the series explores and challenges the exploitation, violence, racism and oppression Aboriginal people have experienced since British colonisation in 1788. These signs and symbols include the main character’s torn clothing, the knife and whip and the very threatening-looking man, all of which represent violence. Another symbol used is colour and how it is displayed throughout the narrative.
In Something More, a clear motive is shown from the very first photograph, where the Aboriginal women is gazing into the distance dreaming of leaving the situation she is in now all behind to search for ‘something more’. This shows the perspective of most of her fellow Indigenous Australians at this time as they were severely oppressed and treated as second-class citizens.
Tracey Moffatt - Something More, 1989
The symbol and/or sign of violence is evident throughout the series. Objects, props and clothing are effectively used to convey the violence and play a big part in shaping the narrative and displaying certain characteristics of the subjects. The first sign of violence is shown when the audience sees her torn dress, (when associated with the aggressive man in the background) the immediate thought that comes to mind is abuse (most likely sexual). The knife and whip (especially the whip which was used as punishment for crime) are blatant references to violence as they were common tools of brutal and violent acts at this time.
Colours are used to convey different types of emotions and perspectives in this series of images and is used very effectively and often. Red is a common symbol for things such as rage & anger, danger and blood. This colour is used for the girl’s dress, it emphasises the fact that she is in no way safe where she is and the ideas and emotions that are thrown at her like rage, anger and violence. The colour black is also used frequently which is often associated with death and evil. In the very last photo, these symbols are evident as she is lying dead, murdered by what could only be the evil, threatening man in the first shot.
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Christian Thompson Appropriation
Christian Thompson - Australian Graffiti