Pieces Of A Man

In 1995 I had the pleasure of seeing Gil Scott Heron perform twice. The first being at a WOMAD festival in Adelaide which was also his first ever performance in Australia and then about a week later I saw him perform in my home town of Sydney. Both times I had direct access and remember our conversations well.

We talked of the demise of creole poetry-or ‘rhyming meaning’ and the disturbing direction Hip Hop was taking. His lyrics had carried me for so many years. Meeting him filled me with hope for the future and what I intended to do with my work. These pictures are a constant reminder of fighting for a brighter day.

His humour knew no bounds..when I showed up backstage at the second gig he just smiled and asked me if I was from the C.I.A.

It was March 1995

‘Pieces of a Man’ Collage on Hardboard with original Polaroid 665 prints

During his performance at WOMAD I was throwing my polaroid prints onstage as a gift to him. He acknowledeged it with a smile.

During his scheduled interview at WOMAD

He showed me his current book- Issac Asminov’s ‘Western Mysteries’

Thank you Gil

A Journey Without End

In mid October 1995 I was invited to attend the ‘Strength Through Unity Reconciliation Festival’ in Brewarrina - a ten thousand year old gathering place on the bend of N.S.W.’s Barwon river.

Brewarrina Reconciliation Festival

George Burarrwanga of the Warumpi Band and friend

You could feel the oppression of Brewarrina and the peoples living there. An unrelentless devastation.

The Brewarrina Dancers

Ruby Hunter with her husband Archie Roach

Social changes are desperately needed in Australia and the Indigenous peoples deserve more freedom. To this day I can still recall the emotions I experienced being in this place..a place where your every move is observed and challenged.