Visual Response.

Misplaced sympathy.

This work was created in collaboration with Ray Velez for an Australian INfront Visual Response project.

Entitled 'Sorry', the project was run in the lead up to 2004's Aboriginal Reconciliation Week. INfront artists were invited to submit a piece that focused on reconciliation with Australia's indigineous society.

Ray and I wanted to appeal to Aboriginal pride and challenge the stereotype of Aboriginal failure and hopelessness. We aimed to do this by creating a portrait of a member of the community who was proud of their heritage. We decided upon Thompson Yulidjirri, a respected artist and ceremonial elder in Western Arnhem Land.

Originally created in Illustrator, the portrait comprises hundreds of 'rocks', the effect being not unlike an aerial photograph of the arid Australian outback.