Artist:
Sandra Hill
My journey with art has been the one constant throughout my life. During the early years I found enormous comfort in making art, in being creative. As a member of the Stolen Generation, art became a way to immerse my sense of loss, sadness and grief into something more tangible and concrete.
My early work focuses on policies and legislation that gave the Western Australian government comprehensive control over its Aboriginal citizens. The power of WA’s Aborigines Act 1905 took away four generations of my own family. As an emerging artist I made it my mission to expose the segregation, injustice, mental, physical and emotional cruelty meted out to my people since colonisation.
Making art has played an important role in reclaiming my cultural and personal identity.
Creating art helps me deal with my deep level of frustration over Australia’s seeming indifference toward its First Nation people and the unjust legacy we’ve been left with. Art gave me a voice, which made me strong, it helped to guide me back home, back to my family, my people and my community.
Over the past 25 years my work continues to evolve, I’m finally in a space where celebrating our survival and culture is my greatest priority. My stories will still be shared through my art but my heart and my spirit are lighter and my work will hopefully reflect that. I have found my true and authentic identity, I’ve found my people, I found my culture and I’ve finally reclaimed my sense of belonging.
Photo: Anthony Pancia, courtesy of ABC News
Sandra Hill
(Minang/Wardandi/Ballardong/Nyoongar peoples)
Skin Deep 2015
Courtesy of the artist and Mossenson Galleries.
Sandra Hill
(Minang/Wardandi/Ballardong/Nyoongar peoples)
Double Standards 2015
Purchased 2016 with the support of Warwick Hemsley and The Hon. Melissa Parke to mark Mr Hemsley's tenure on Council and in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.
Sandra Hill
(Minang/Wardandi/Ballardong/Nyoongar peoples)
Thin Veneer 2015
Courtesy of the artist and Mossenson Galleries.
Search for works by this artist in the national collection.
