We bleed the same
Liz Deep-Jones: Curator, Tim Bauer: Photographer
This event has concluded
Dates:
-
Hours:
Entry Fee:
Free
This exhibition is a progressive account of racism in the 21st century, beginning it’s journey in Australia through the lens of First Nations people followed by immigrants and refugees; questioning and demonstrating who we are as a nation. Whether it is overt, covert or systemic racism, racism hurts, racism is dangerous, racism divides, racism can destroy people and racism kills. American poet & civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, “In minor ways we differ. In major ways we’re the same.”
The 36 people who are featured in the stunning 29 portraits taken by my colleague Tim Bauer, are from varied backgrounds, religion and race, who also share their stories in our film, recounting a past of disturbing memories; fleeing persecution, the Holocaust, caught in conflicts, ethnic cleansing; the horrors of human cruelty.
Subhi Bora|Uyghur/Uzbek “My parents came to Australia to give their family opportunities, to live without fear and for freedom. The freedom to be Uyghur. I’m grateful my parents chose to come to Australia and it’s really heartbreaking to realise if they stayed in Xingjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region(East Turkistan) it could have been me in those internment camps.”
First Nations people have recalled their experiences at the hands of racist government Assimilation policies in Australia which tore Indigenous families apart between 1910 -1970. Children were forcibly removed from their families under these policies and have become known as the Stolen Generation. Wongaibon Elder James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh who is featured in our exhibition, “I was number 36. If I used my name I was beaten, abused, treated less than an animal in the evil Kinchella Boys home we were forced to stay in. People say we were STOLEN, I’m not an object, I’m a human being who was kidnapped from his parents, thanks to a racist government policy. I lost my culture, identity and family and spent my whole life trying to drink my pain away, suffering in and out of prison for 45 years.” Indigenous Australians encounter systemic racism in the justice system, enduring the highest incarceration rates on the planet with the tragic consequences of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in their country; their stolen land also known as the lucky country, Australia.
This exhibition explores racism, raises questions about racism, who we are as a nation and who we want to be! What action are we taking to live and work together in a more peaceful and inclusive society? What are we doing to confront racism and quell its power?
Unfortunately, some of our young talent in the exhibition felt that they did not belong in ‘the lucky country’ Australia because of their experiences with racism. They do not feel safe on their streets and fear for their families. They have found themselves in a hostile environment either on their own land or their adopted country. Of literature on racism, none has been effective as this form of hostile and verbal warfare is so powerful that even the kindest, in moments of anger, can slip under the mantle of racism.
We honour all of the incredible people in our exhibition who have been brave enough to share their truth and give power to their stories. I am also grateful to them for trusting us with sharing their stories in our exhibitions and platforms. Rather than stay silent they have risen and empowered all of us!
Martin Luther King Jr.,“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Our aim is to engage, empower, enlighten and enhance our voice for our audience to consider and make positive and impactful change in our communities as we strive for equality, inclusiveness and a welcoming environment. We also hope to give an insight into the harmful effects of systemic racism, or discrimination based on race or ethnicity: key factors include the onset of disease and increasing disparities in physical and mental health among Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC).
We are citizens of the world and it’s our duty to combat racism, fight for equality and welcome everyone so we have a sense of belonging, we matter and that we are equal. We are human beings living on one planet that bleed the same!
Please check with the venue for up to date information about COVID-19 restrictions before visiting.
International Photographer Tim Bauer is one of Australia’s leading photographer’s for over the past 40 years. He’s photographed some of the most famous people on the planet including, Andy Warhol, Audrey Hepburn, 8 Prime Minister’s, Jerry Hall, Bill Gates, Ben Quilty and many other famous and infamous people. Journalist/ Curator Liz Deep-Jones is also a Comms. Specialist at the National Justice Project and has worked in the media industry for over 20 years, mostly as an on camera journalist/ presenter and producer at SBSTV and ABC. She’s interviewed some of the most famous people in the world including the late – Nelson Mandela, The Dalai Lama, the late Charles Perkins, Cathy Freeman, Ian Thorpe and Geoffrey Robertson QC. Liz also worked alongside HeadOn’s Creative Founder Moshe Rosenzveig OAM to exhibit our Indigenous DeathsInCustody show for Head On’s 10th Anniversary.
Kickstart our month-long festival of the arts with music, photography, and community on the shores of the dazzling Bondi Beach. Be the first to know who won the 2024 Head On Photo Awards and get a taste of the photographs redefining visual storytelling.
Enthralling. Enchanting. Extraordinary. Discover exceptional photography for free around Sydney during the festival 8 Nov–1 Dec 2024