If the 1967 referendum to include Aboriginal people in the constitution were held today, would the overwhelming vote still be yes?
Professor Brian Martin is not so sure.
The artist, who is a descendant of the Muruwari, Bundjalung and Kamilaroi peoples and former deputy director of the Institute of Koorie Education at Deakin University, is marking the 50th anniversary of the historical moment with an exhibition, Referendum, at the Wyndham Art Gallery.
Professor Martin painted the portraits of 12 Aboriginal people from far west New South Wales who were born before the referendum. He said the paintings were a creative protest against the way Aboriginal people were historically represented.
“When you look historically at western paintings, portraiture was the highest form of art and people of note had their portraits painted,” he said.
Back then, Aboriginal people of note were recognised through the naming of botany.
Although Professor Martin painted the images in 2004, he said it was important to remember the fight for the 1967 vote and the effect it had on the lives of Aboriginal people.
“It was in effect a stepping stone to trying to achieve a means of equality,” he said.
“In a contemporary context, it reminds us how we’ve become more conservative as a society. If we were to hold this vote now, with everything that is going on, would it be a yes vote?
“I’m not confident it would because, in a sense, we’ve gone backwards – and that’s why it’s vital that we’re reminded of this history.”
Referendum will remain on display at Wyndham Art Gallery until August 20.
