About the Artwork
"These images celebrate Tanderrum, a revival of a traditional ceremony for the coming together of the Kulin Nation comprising of the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wadawurrung and Taungurung peoples, an opening ceremony for the Melbourne International Art Festival held at Fed Square from 2013-2019.
This image features (clockwise from top) Olivia Young (Taungurung), Cassie Fisher Patterson (Taungurung/Dja Dja Wurrung) and Trent Nelson (Dja Dja Wurrung) bottom left.
I was the musical director for Tanderrum from 2013-2015 and as a photographer, I documented it from 2016-2019. I have been working professionally, shooting many Aboriginal events, since 2010. Aboriginal traditional dance continues to be one of the most exciting things for me to shoot and is of significant importance to both my clients and the dancers involved."
About the Artist
Melbourne-based artist James Henry works across sound design, composition and photography. He has captured numerous artist portraits for the Metro Tunnel Creative Program over the past seven years.
He says "my ancestral connections are from Yuwaalaraay, Gamilaraay, Yorta Yorta and Yuin and not of the Kulin Nation, so I am very grateful for the trust the Kulin Nation peoples have given me to participate in their cultural revival."