Raise the flag
$3,200.00
British flag, they raised it at Ooldea, back in the 1900s.Our old people were already there, living on Country, but the flag went up anyway. First Nations mob didn’t know what that flag meant. The missionaries came, and that was the start of big change. Later, after the British bomb tests at Maralinga and Emu Junction, they brought families into Ooldea. People were moved, gathered up from across Country under that same flag. The mission became the place where many were forced to stay. That flag stands for all that happened, the mission days, the bombs, the changes forced on our people. I stripped this old car bonnet back to its skeleton and painted the Union Jack over it. The car bonnet is how we travel bush now; but that flag reminds us of what was brought here. This is my way of telling that story, it’s still with us.
Desmond Woodforde is an emerging multi-disciplinary artist and storyteller. He only recently started creating at Mimili Maku Arts but has worked for PY Media and as an independent artist for many years. At Mimili Maku Arts he has spearheaded the wati (men’s) program alongside senior artist Robert Fielding. From screenprinting, sculpture, music, painting and video – he brings a unique perspective and depth of knowledge to his practice.
