Take 5

Michael Cook

Michael Cook is an acclaimed Bidjara photographer whose works have achieved international recognition, finding their place in collections spanning Australia, Europe, America and Asia. Born in 1968, Cook’s upbringing reflects a unique interplay of Indigenous and non-Indigenous influences. Adopted into a non-Indigenous family, Cook spent his childhood journeying to remote communities where his parents encouraged connection with his Aboriginal heritage. This formative period instilled a deep appreciation for his Indigenous identity, which later became a central theme in his artistic exploration.

Cook's transition into art followed a successful 25-year career in commercial photography. This transformative shift allowed him to delve into facets of identity that captivated his interest. His debut series, Through My Eyes (2010), demonstrates his innovative approach which blends commercial skills with artistic independence to reimagine Australian prime ministerial portraits with an Indigenous gaze.

His photographic suites showcase diverse influences, from the Rococo aesthetic of Object (2015) and Civilised (2012), to cinematic references such as Hitchcock's The Birds (1963), as seen in Invasion (2017). These evocative works subvert societal positions and expectations, while raising questions on the impact of two centuries of colonisation on present-day First Nations peoples.

In 2022, Michael Cook generously donated five works to FUMA from his series Livin' the Dream (2020), through the Australian Government Cultural Gift Fund. The works depict the journey of an Aboriginal nuclear family as they relocate to a secluded outback community, with Joe Gala, Cook's childhood friend and frequent collaborator, taking on the role of the family's patriarch, 'Joey Jones'.

This narrative is emblematic of events that unfolded in 19th century Australia. Aboriginal people were torn from Country and sequestered in missions, experiencing disconnection from their cultural roots and the imposition of Western lifestyles. In Cook’s series, The ‘Australian Dream’ of home ownership and affluence is portrayed with nostalgic stylings of the mid-20^th century. Juxtaposed against the harsh realities faced by First Nations peoples, Livin’ the Dream marks the disparity between aspiration and adversity. The disquiet and discomfort etched on the faces of the family members as they engage in Western rituals such as barbecues and birthday parties, serve as poignant reflections of the vulnerability experienced by displaced First Nations communities when severed from their Ancestral lands and traditions.

Livin' the Dream adds a contemporary voice to FUMA’s collection and enriches the depth and diversity of the photographic holdings. These artworks contribute new perspectives to the ever-expanding collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, reflecting upon Australia's colonial history through a First Nations lens. Cook's powerful imagery becomes an integral part of FUMA’s mission to promote cultural understanding and engage with the complexities of Australia's multicultural heritage.

Lachlan Murray
Collections and Exhibitions Assistant, Flinders University Museum of Art
Adelaide, Australia, 2023

© Flinders University Museum of Art

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^{[1] ‘Giving weight to words’ was the bi-line for Tipping’s exhibition at the Adelaide Festival Centre Gallery.}