Australia Day holds different meanings and connotations to each member of this great land. To some, it is a day to kick back with a VB and marvel at one’s Colorbond roof and makeshift Slip n’ Slide, but to others, it is a day that holds great unease and unhappiness. I am of course speaking of some Indigenous Australian’s feelings towards this often-contested day. It is for this reason that the release of Jeremy Blincoe’s latest photographic series, Ephemeral Memory, comes at a very appropriate time indeed.
Blincoe formed a deep empathy for the rights of Indigenous Australians after establishing friendships with members of his boxing class at the Melbourne Aboriginal Youth and Recreation Centre. Blincoe explains, “Conversation led to further research, which inspired me to create a series of photographs that explore – and provide a commentary on – poignant issues surrounding Indigenous Australians.”
The ambiguity of his striking photographs is very important to Blincoe; it is his goal to allow the viewer to, “be in conversation with the images – to interact with them on a personal level,” as opposed to, “be fed my own political agenda,” which is unfortunately often the case when it comes to such sensitive political matters. Blincoe wants the viewer to “draw upon their own experiences with, and feelings towards, Indigenous affairs, and use them to interpret and make sense of the images.”
The series as a whole provides a commentary, and a necessary provocation, on issues such as the stolen generation, reshaping of such a historic and steadfast identity, “the gradual disintegration of a culture and language,” and Aboriginal rights in general.
It is Blincoe’s hope that through his photographs he, “can help shine a little light on such deeply important and culturally relevant issues.”
Jeremy Blincoe’s exhibition, Ephemeral Memory, will be at Colour Factory Gallery (409-429 Gore St, Fitzroy, Melbourne) from the 3rd to the the 25th of February. Opening night is Thursday the 2nd of February from 6pm -8pm.
