SPACE 4 : NAH YOU’RE NOT BY TERESA FORNATARO

Exhibition dates. 7 - 18 Sept 2022
Opening Reception : Thur 8 Sept 2022, 6:00 - 8.30pm.

Nah, You’re Not

Curiosity, chaos and connection underpin my multidisciplinary art practice and explorations within Nah You’re Not. Constantly reaching to my inner child, I create raw, personal work with a playful approach.

Nah, You’re Not is an exhibition exploring the imbalance between my strong connection to my Italian heritage and deep disconnect to my Aboriginal culture. Formative experiences have led to a disconnect from my Aboriginality. As a child, when I eventually learnt that I was not only Italian, but Aboriginal also, I was excited to share this knowledge with my friends and people I met. It was a new element to my identity I could now explore. When I felt it was right, I would intertwine the news into the conversation. I would simply say, “I’m Aboriginal”. With no hesitation, the response was almost always, something akin to “Nah you’re not!” Shut down by dismissive comments, over time I gradually crept back into my shell, too scared to mention my Aboriginality again.

Well, it is now time to confront the “Nah you’re not’s”.

To learn about my history and form clarity, I began to manipulate personal found images into digital collages. With vibrant colours and roughly cut out imagery of Italian and Aboriginal culture, my playful and chaotic approach to artmaking is apparent. Alongside these collages hang individual pieces of pasta embellished with dot painting, an intertwined presence of tangible elements from both cultures.

This body of work has been an all-consuming, rewarding journey, which is just beginning. I am encouraged to share my explorations in the hope that I can provide a space for empowerment. I am proud to share Nah You’re Not with you.

The Artwork