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Veiled Bird from Nature Morte …
Veiled Bird from Nature Morte by Michael Cook
Structural Lens
Meaning and Symbolism
The artwork was created to show the devastating affects that colonisation had on Indigenous people their culture and Australia's native flora and fauna
This is seen through the use of animals, plants and food all areas of Aboriginal life that were affected by colonisation.
Immediately when looking at any of the images in this series you can see the somber feeling the image gives given the subject matter and dark setting
Overview
The artwork has 3 sizes
Small—Inkjet print on paper, 91 × 122 cm, Edition 7
Medium—Inkjet print on paper, 122 × 172 cm, Edition 5
Large—Inkjet print on canvas, 140 × 200 cm, Edition 3
The name of the series Nature Morte, is French and translates to dead nature in English.
Veiled Bird is one of 8 images from the Nature Morte series.
Subject Matter
In the center is an Emu with a dried native lily draped over its head, an emu feather in its mouth and a chain around its foot
Under it is a nest with 3 eggs various glasses and beverages and a blowen out candle.
The image features various animals, plants, food and objects.
Framing the Emu are a jug's on each side filled with a native flower.
Technique's/Influence
Photographic layering
Dutch Old Master paintings
ART ELEMENTS
Space
Colour
Texture
Value
Personal Lens
Values
He creates "artwork about Indigenous issues, past and present, and how the past relates to the
present and eventually moulds the future"
“It’s about learning Australia’s history to create a better future. Through my art I ask questions, ‘How would a better understanding of Indigenous culture for the past 200 years affect Aboriginal people today?’ Australia is very multicultural, it’s about everyone having a little more understanding and not just looking at the whole picture as black-and-white.”
Influences
Aboriginal heritage
Australian History
Adopted mother
Bio mother
Life experiences
Born 25 August 1968, Brisbane
At 30, he reached out to his biological mother where he learned that his father was a Bidjara person who live in South-West Queensland.
He got his first camera at 14, and began working in a photo lab as his first job at 17, and by 20 had his own studio.
His mother Ronda was an activate for the environment and Indigenous rights and made sure Michael was well aware of his heritage and history. Because of this Michael met many important Indigenous people such as Neville Bonner, Australia's first Indigenous MP.
Adopted by Ronda and Keith Cook into a large, non Indigenous family
He did various types of photography such as fashion and weddings in Australia and overseas for 25 years and then at 40 he first started art photography.
My response
This artwork makes me feel quite emotional as I think the suffering of the Aboriginal people is very apparent in this piece with its darker theme.
Bibliography
https://bneart.com/michael-cook-natures-mortes/
https://graziamagazine.com/articles/michael-cook-photographer/
https://gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/gallery/v/1/documents/discover/learn/education-resource-secondary-school-michael-cook-mother.pdf
https://www.michaelcook.net.au/projects/natures-mortes
https://www.michaelcook.net.au/biography
http://www.andrew-baker.com/Michael_Cook_Natures_mortes.pdf
https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/7162046
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/his-new-york-dream-on-hold-aussie-artist-is-welcomed-home-20200507-p54quv.html
