Portraits a healing influence for Kimberley stolen generation families

A powerful portrait exhibition honouring survivors and descendants of the Stolen Generation has been launched to celebrate Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation’s 20th anniversary. Held at the Notre Dame Hall on Friday, November 19, the invite-only launch was a “sad, yet momentous” event which saw survivors of the Stolen Generation and their families unveil 50 portrait artworks. The portraits are digital photographs printed on canvas in sepia tones and hand-embellished by Indigenous artists Colleen and Rebecca Morgan, with family portraits done by Sharona Wilson and Melanie Edgar. KSGAC chair Dr Mark Bin Bakar said the inaugural exhibition marked 20 years of the organisation’s service to those taken away from their families in the Kimberley. “This portrait exhibition, along with other initiatives such as completing a genealogy map, helps people to connect to family and each other which has ongoing positive effects on wellbeing and mental health,” he said. Stolen Generation survivor “Uncle Sam” Lovell said he remembered growing up with many of those pictured in the portraits at Moola Bulla Station. “We didn’t have a good life but we survived ... We all suffered the same things, we had no place to sleep, no bed and no change of your clothes,” he said. “I’m very pleased to see a lot of people here today, there’s not many of us left.” Special guests included Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson, Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna, Federal Senator Patrick Dodson and the family and friends of those in the portraits. Ms D’Anna said it was a privilege to attend the event. “I look forward to working with the organisation and families to see it grow until we have a portrait of every Kimberley person that was stolen,” she said. Dr Bin Bakar said it had been a sad journey for many and too many of the Stolen Generation elders had been lost. “We hope to continue this exhibition into the future until every Kimberley Stolen Generation person is recognised, this project is so well overdue,” he said. “You never die as long as someone remembers you.” KSGAC hopes to display the portraits in public when a permanent home is found.