Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes
Home: Aboriginal art from NSW – Michael Riley
Create artworks inspired by the art practice of Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Michael Riley
Student visual arts resource developed by The Arts Unit in collaboration with the Art Gallery of New South Wales
Years 5 and 6 visual arts
What will I learn?
Watch the video Introduction to Michael Riley by Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones, as he introduces Michael's art practice and the ways he used photography to resist and renew representations of Country, community and culture in the South East of New South Wales.
Introduction to Michael Riley
Duration: 02:05Inspired by the work of Michael Riley, you are invited to explore the artmaking practices of symbolism and portraiture.
You will:
explore the richness and diversity of Aboriginal art from New South Wales
reflect on personal experiences to create meaning in artworks
shoot your own photographic series that reflects your culture, childhood or favourite memories
construct your own photographic studio
create a series of artworks exploring portrait photography
present your series in print or book form.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this resource may contain images of, and written references to, people who have passed away.
Before you begin
This class has 2 lessons.
You will need:
a camera or phone to take pictures
A1 white paper
scissors
tape
a small table
personal objects of significance
family or friend to photograph.
About
Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Michael Riley (1960 – 2004) was born in his father’s Wiradjuri Country.
He grew up on the Talbragar Aboriginal Reserve on the outskirts of Dubbo in New South Wales.
Watch the video Home program: Michael Riley .
This video introduces Riley’s artworks, Maria (1985), Nanny Wright and Dog (1990) from the series A Common Place: Portraits of Moree Murries and two works Untitled (1998) from the series Flyblown.
Answer the following questions:
What is analogue photography?
Why might film or a photograph be grainy?
What is symbolism?
How does Riley use colour to change the meaning in a photograph?
Home program: Michael Riley
Liam Keenan, Programs Assistant, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the Art Gallery of NSW Duration: 06:50Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this video may contain images of, and written reference to, people who have passed away.
Where
Use the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia to find which language group the places listed below are located:
Sydney
Moree
Dubbo
Where you live
Art Gallery of New South Wales.
What are language groups?
Indigenous nations and language groups cover wide geographical areas, and have distinct borders. Within these nations there can be multiple language groups, and sub-groups based on dialect, which are larger than a family but based on family links through a common ancestry. Each shares a common language and kinship system, which is based on either patrilineal or matrilineal lines of descent.
Lesson 1 – shoot a photographic series exploring symbolism
In Lesson 1 you will explore symbolism.
Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Michael Riley was inspired by his love for country and community. He often used symbols to communicate ideas about his Aboriginal identity and Australian history.
Throughout this lesson you will:
Shoot your own series that reflects your culture, childhood or favourite memories
Construct your own photographic studio.
Lesson 2 – shoot a photographic series exploring portraiture
In Lesson 2 you will explore portraiture.
Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Michael Riley often photographed relatives within his community. The subjects sat however they wanted to sit and showed themselves however they wanted to be shown.
Throughout this lesson you will:
create a series of artworks exploring portrait photography
present your series in print or book form.
Third-party content attributions
Untitled from the series Flyblown, © Michael Riley Foundation, 1998, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Nanny Wright and Dog, © Michael Riley Foundation, 1991, reproduced and communicated with permission.