Undiscovered #1

Artist Michael Cook (1968)

Date2010

Object number00054259

NamePrint

MediumInkjet print (Epson UltraChrome K3™ inks on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag® Bright White 310 gsm paper)

DimensionsOverall: 1240 x 1000 mm
Display dimensions: 1410 × 1160 × 45 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionMichael Cook Bidjara people of South-West Queensland Undiscovered #1 depicts an Aboriginal man standing knee deep in the sea looking to the shore line. Standing on the shore line is an emu, an Australian native animal. This photograph is one of a series of ten works by Cook which reflects upon the discovery and occupation of Australia by the British.This series questions who really discovered Australia while making reference to what was always here, what was introduced through colonisation and the effect this had on the Indigenous people, their culture and country.HistoryMichael Cook is from the Bidjara people of south-west Queensland. He has a wealth of photographic knowledge and experience that has gained him national and international recognition within the Indigenous contemporary art scene. Undiscovered subtly portrays the ‘discovery’ of Australia by the British in a contemporary style. Michael has been a finalist in 29th Telstra National Aboriginal Art Award, 2012 Sunshine Coast Art Prize, Josephine Ulrick & Win Shubert Award 2012, Western Australia Indigenious Art Awards 2011. Michael's work is represented in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, Artbank, Queensland Art Gallery, Bendigo Art Gallery and other collections around Australia. He also has some pieces in The Owen and Wagner Collection of Australian Aboriginal Art in the USA. Michael Cook is the winner of the Visual Artist of the Year 14th Annual Deadly Awards, Visual Artist of the Year 17th Annual Deadly Awards, Peoples Choice Award West Australian Indigenous Art Awards 2011. This contemporary series reflects upon the discovery and occupation of Australia by the British. This photo questions the notion of 'Discovery' and who really discovered Australia, while making reference to what was always here, what was introduced through colonisation and the effect that had on the Indigenous people, their culture and country. SignificanceInvestigates colonial narrative through the eyes of Indigenous Australians.
A contemporary photograph which reflects upon the ‘discovery’ and occupation of Australia by the British.
This photo questions the notion of 'Discovery' and who realy discovered Australia, while making reference to what was always here what was introduced through colonisation and the effect that had on the Indigenous people, their culture and country.