Title: ‘BLOOD/MEMORY: BRENDA & CHRISTOPHER I (GURINDJI/MALNGNIN/MUDBURRA; MARA/NANDI/NJARRINDJERRI/RITHARRNGU; ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN/CHINESE/GERMAN/IRISH/SCOT) 2021, 2022
Artist: Brenda L Croft, Prue Hazelgrove (Photographic Assistant)
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023 Finalist

Artist statement: blood/memory: Christopher is my son/great-nephew/grandson, I am Christopher’s mother/great-aunt/grandmother. His great-grandmother is my father’s older sister. They shared the same non-Indigenous father, different First Nations mothers, but still looked like peas in a pod. Our combined bloodlines include Gurindji/Malgnin/Mudburra peoples and Anglo-Australian/Chinese/German/Irish for me, Mara/Nandi/Ngarrindjeri/Ritharrngu and Anglo-Australian/Irish for Christopher. My grandfather/Christopher’s great-great-grandfather’s journey into the Northern Territory over a century ago is reflected in this portrait. It is a gift to share Christopher’s life and I learn from him every day – blood/memory. Marntaj.

The National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia’s aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

Details: https://www.portrait.gov.au/portraits/2023.23/bloodmemory-brenda-christopher-i-gurindjimalnginmudburra-marangarrindjeriritharrngu