Icon to a stolen child: Perfect
Julie DOWLING: artist
I painted this picture about my family and friends who are menfolk.
Those who were stolen from their families and put into missions, white
homes and foster homes as young children were assimilated to think
their identity was inferior.
They were told to be perfect in everything to “escape” their black
background. To most white people they were still never good enough.
This painting is an icon for their bravery and resistance to that forced
assimilation.
Those who were stolen from their families and put into missions, white
homes and foster homes as young children were assimilated to think
their identity was inferior.
They were told to be perfect in everything to “escape” their black
background. To most white people they were still never good enough.
This painting is an icon for their bravery and resistance to that forced
assimilation.
Title
Icon to a stolen child: Perfect
Artist/Maker and role
Julie DOWLING: artist
Date
1998
Medium
synthetic polymer paint, red ochre and metallic paint on canvas
Measurements
40.0 x 35.3 cm
Credit line
Purchased 1998
© Julie Dowling / Copyright Agency
The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia
Accession number
1998/0140