Collection Online

Federation series: 1901–2001
2001

Medium
synthetic polymer paint, earth pigments, metallic paint and glitter on canvas
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through the NGV Foundation with the assistance of Rupert Myer, Governor, 2001
© Julie Dowling/Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Medium
synthetic polymer paint, earth pigments, metallic paint and glitter on canvas
Measurements
(1) 60.3 × 50.5 cm (Melbin 1901–1910)
(2) 60.4 × 50.5 cm (Uncle Sam 1910–1920)
(3) 60.2 × 50.4 cm (Auntie Dot 1920–1930)
(4) 60.3 × 50.5 cm (Ruby 1930–1940)
(5) 60.2 × 50.5 cm (Mollie 1940–1950)
(6) 60.4 × 50.5 cm (George 1950–1960)
(7) 60.3 × 50.4 cm (Nan 1960–1970)
(8) 60.3 × 50.4 cm (Ronnie 1970–1980)
(9) 60.4 × 50.5 cm (Carol 1980–1990)
(10) 60.4 × 50.5 cm (Julie 1990–2001)
Place/s of Execution
Perth, Western Australia
Inscription
(1) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: Federation Series: / ‘Melbin’ / by / Julie Dowling (Dow underlined) / May 2001 / (y 20 underlined) / Acrylic, Red Ochre and Plastic on / Canvas / + / This shows my great great grand / mother ‘Melbin’ during the time of / Federation Act by the King / Queen Victoria (crossed out) / and the 1905 Act for the Protection of / Aborigines. Her life was changed by / these words. / 1901–1910

(2) ) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: Federation Series; / ‘Uncle Sam’ / by / Julie Dowling (e D underlined) / May 2001 / Acrylic, Red Ochre and Plastic / on Canvas. / ~ / This painting shows my great / grand Uncle Samuel Winmar / who worked for the War but wasn’t / allowed to fight in WW1. / 1910–1920

(3) ) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: Federation Series; / ‘Auntie Dot’ / by / Julie Dowling / May 2001 / Acrylic, Red Ochre and Plastic / on Canvas. / ~ / This painting shows my great Auntie / Dorothy Latham who was taken away / from her Badimaya mother and put into / an orphanage by her wudjulah (white) / father when she was eight years old, / at the time there were massacres in the / Kimberley in the North West of W. A. / ~ / 1920–1930

(4) ) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: Federation Series; / ‘Ruby’ / by / Julie Dowling ~ / May 2001 / ~/ Acrylic, Red Ochre and / Plastic on Canvas / ~ / This shows my great Auntie / Ruby Oliver during the depression / ~ / 1930–1940

(5) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: Federation Series; / ‘Mollie’ / by / Julie Dowling (D underlined) / May 2001 / Acrylic, Red Ochre and / Plastic on Canvas / ~ / This painting shows my g (crossed out) / grandmother Molly (y overinscribed with ie) Dowling / during the bombing of Broome and / Derby in the 2nd World War. / 1940–1950

(6) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: ‘Federation Series: George’ / 1950–1960 / by / Julie Dowling / May 2001 / Acrylic, Red Ochre and Plastic on Canvas / ~ / This shows my great Uncle George / Latham who always ran away from / Native Welfare. He lived in the / bush by himself from the age of 15 (5 overinscribed with 0) / because many of his mates and / family were put into ‘care’. When / he got older he stopped some / kids from being taked for a time / He remembers the fifty’s like it was / yesterday.

(7) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: ‘Federation Series’ / : Nan / 1960–1970 / by / Julie Dowling. / May 2001. / Acrylic, Red Ochre and Plastic / on Canvas. / ~ / This shows my mum’s first / cousin Nancy Latham. She married / a Koorie fellah and moved east / while he fought in the Vietnam War / she saw the first Civil Rights protests and brought the / message back to her family.

(8) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: ‘Federation Series:’ / Ronnie / 1977 (7 overincribed with 0) –1980 / by / Julie Dowling. / May 2001 / Acrylic, Red Ochre and Plastic / on Canvas / ~ / This shows my mother Ronnie / who was the first person in our / family to go on a protest march / and to publically speak out / about injustice to our family / because we were Aboriginal/ / Yamatji/Badimaya

(9) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: ‘Federation Series: Carol’ / 1980–1990 / by / Julie Dowling / May 2001 / ~ / Acrylic, Red Ochre and Plastic / on Canvas / ~ / This is a painting of my / twin sister Carol who was / a curent affairs reporter / for Aboriginal Radio during the / bicentennial.

(10) inscribed in crayon on reverse u.l.: Federation Series: Julie’ / 1990–2001 / by / Julie Dowling. / May 2001 / Acrylic, Red Ochre and Plastic / on Canvas. / ~ / This shows me dreaming / about the recent past and / maybe (crossed out) the future. / It all comes down to land.
Accession Number
2001.538.1-10
Department
First Nations Australia
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through the NGV Foundation with the assistance of Rupert Myer, Governor, 2001
© Julie Dowling/Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Gallery location
Not on display