Collection Details

Name/TitleLoss of Cultural Identity

About this objectNathan Dawson is a Gomeroi artist living in Lismore. He has family ties to the Gomeroi Nation from around Gunnedah, New South Wales.

Artist Statement:
'Loss of Cultural Identity' was inspired by a photograph of my Great-Grandmother and her family. In the image, you can see the family dressed in clean white western clothes and their hair looking nicely done. It showed me the attempt of the colonialists to erase the culture of my family. My Great-Grandmother is the larger figure on the right in the artwork.

The artwork is divided into pre-colonialism and post-colonialism eras. If you divide the artwork in half diagonally from top-right to bottom-left, you can see that the top-half is full of culture, smiling faces and connections. Conversely, the bottom-half is the ‘re-education’ of the Aboriginal children. The buildings in the bottom half are the Blacktown Native Institution and an old school building from the Blacktown area. Ironically, in the classroom you can see the teacher teaching the Aboriginal students about ‘Australia’.

I have been on a journey to discover more about my Aboriginal culture. I am equally as curious about the European side of my family but it is not as documented and hidden. This journey is reflected in my recent practice, I have been creating smaller artworks and murals which depict aspects of my Gomeroi roots.

MakerDawson, Nathan

Maker RoleArtist

Date Made2023

Medium and MaterialsAcrylic ink and pen on paper

Place MadeOceania, Australia

Measurements51 h x 61 w cm

Subject and Association KeywordsContemporary art

Subject and Association KeywordsFirst Nations art, artist

Subject and Association KeywordsPainting

Named CollectionBlacktown City Art Collection

Credit Line© Nathan Dawson
Acquired 2024, Blacktown Art Prize exhibition
Blacktown City Council Collection

Object TypePainting

Object numberBCC DWN 001