Multi-disciplinary artist Naomi Hobson will open her evocative photographic series, Adolescent Wonderland, at the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre next week.
Art Gallery of South Australia Project Manager Tarnanthi Celia Dottore will launch Adolescent Wonderland in Mount Gambier as its statewide regional tour continues.
Adolescent Wonderland depicts young Aboriginal people from Hobson’s community of Coen on Cape York Peninsula.
Ms Hobson is a Southern Kaantju/Umpila woman who lives in Coen, a small town of 360 people in far north Queensland.
Inspired by her immediate environment, her works express her ongoing connection to Country and her ancestors’ ties and relationships with their traditional lands.
Ms Hobson is a multidisciplinary artist who regularly works across painting, ceramics and photography mediums.
In her Adolescent Wonderland series, she works to empower young people, encourage them to be themselves, and celebrate their uniqueness.
Through her work, Ms Hobson references her family’s political and social engagements and her engagement with her Country and community.
Her photographic series allows the viewer to become part of the community and provides an insight into the vulnerability, playfulness and everyday moments of a generation transitioning from teenagers into adults.
“I think young people are getting crazy adventurous with all the apps and photo settings in their mobile phones,” Ms Hobson said.
“They’re just really connecting with how they want to share their story.
“Young people are so advanced in using technology, and they also love getting their photos taken, but let them show you their story, their way; that’s what Adolescent Wonderland is all about.
“Today photography needs to push the boundary … I’m using the medium to tell real stories that I feel do not get told or have not been told.
“I want people to see who our youth really are: fun, playful, smart, savvy, proud, adventurous and witty.”
Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre manager Diana Warnes said Ms Hobson created a dynamic series of works celebrating youth from her community.
“We are delighted to host this captivating, joyous exhibition,” she said.
The Riddoch’s Studio Sessions on December 11 to January 15 will host photography editing workshops for beginners who want to make colour-popping edits to their photos.
Visitors are also invited to participate in a “Where’s Your Wonderland” photography competition, encouraging participants to capture their everyday worlds for a chance to win.
“The photographs are also displayed digitally as part of the exhibition.
The Adolescent Wonderland series was first commissioned by the Cairns Art Gallery with funding from the Queensland Government through the Arts Queensland Backing Indigenous Arts initiative.
The current, expanded exhibition was created for the Tarnanthi Open Hands exhibition in 2020, presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia with Principal Partner BHP and support from the Government of South Australia.
