Tobias Titz & Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre, Right To Be Counted (2007)
Rosie Halsmith
Artists: Tobias Titz & Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre Work: Right To Be Counted (2008) Location: Port Hedland, Yandeyarra, Carnarvon & Warralong, Western Australia
Award-winning Melbourne photographer, Tobias Titz, and the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre have collaborated with the Indigenous community members from Port Hedland, Yandeyarra, Carnarvon and Warralong to create a series of photographic portraits that articulate the communities’ thoughts, opinions and experiences regarding the 1967 referendum.
Commemorating 40 years of citizenship, ‘Right to be Counted’ is an exhibition highlighting the power of words. The 1967 referendum was a ground breaking moment for Australia. 90.77% voted ‘Yes’ giving Indigenous Australians the rights of other Australians.
The framed photographs consist of full-length and face portraits alongside etched comments about the person’s reflections on the effects of the ‘67 Referendum.
These carefully considered words, positioned next to the compelling portraits, create an exhibition that is at once confronting, personal, and stunning. The result of scratching text into a photograph of an otherwise empty space allows the unseen and unsaid to be given a voice and physical form. Right to be Counted asserts that even once a person has left a space, even after an event has come and gone, something remains - repercussions, impact, memory. As Hedland resident Joseph Maher wrote on his photograph from the exhibition ‘It was a good start, still need more work’
This exhibition includes a practical workshop for Indigenous community members to celebrate and reflect on the changes in society.
About the artists: Tobias Titz is a freelance photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. Over the last ten years he has worked for a range of local and international magazines and commercial clients. He also likes to make sure he has time to focus on his personal projects such as the award winning Polaroid scratch series.
Tobias is passionate about all aspects of people and portrait photography. He particularly enjoys capturing people in their own surroundings – even if that means traveling to remote locations in the Australian outback. His work has been exhibited internationally and are held in public and private collections in Australia, Europe and the USA.
Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre aims to be recognised as a leading Aboriginal language and resource centre in Australia. By working with the old people of the Pilbara, we will use our expertise, knowledge and sensitivity to record and foster Aboriginal languages, culture and history. Thus, ensuring the young people remain strong in retaining their Aboriginal language, culture and history, ensuring cultural continuity.