Indigenous artist Naomi Hobson captures life on country in colour
Indigenous artist Naomi Hobson didn’t really know what to do when she first picked up a camera, but now her snapshots of life on country in far north Queensland have connected with people around the world.
Indigenous artist Naomi Hobson didn’t know who Christian Louboutin was when she was told a selection of her photographs had been purchased by the international fashion designer for his private collection.
But she did recognise the other purchaser, music legend Elton John.
“When my manager told me I was like, ‘OK, thank you’,” Hobson recalled.
“I told my girls and they asked, ‘Is it Louboutin the fashion designer? You know, with the red sole shoes?’ I didn’t know who they were talking about.”
Photography was never a medium the multidisciplinary artist intended to pick up. But her depictions of life on Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula have connected with people around the world.
“I'm just happy that you can see me now, and that’s what it’s all about, being real and honest,” she said. The Southern Kaantju and Umpila woman from Coen, five hours’ north of Cairns, channelled her culture and creativity into painting and ceramics from a young age to express her relationship with the community.
“My ceramics are more about the customs and traditions here,” Hobson, 42, said.
“Then there is my photograph, which is about community life and my people and my primary medium is painting, and that’s about how I am connected to my environment and my landscape.”
It wasn’t until she was asked to photograph the members of the community in the country that a love affair was sparked between the traditional owner and the camera that had been thrust into her hands. She taught herself how to use it and now a camera goes everywhere she does.
Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art recently purchased the entirety of the “Adolescent Wonderland” collection, depicting life on country for Indigenous young people, accompanied by a quote from each subject. Ms Hobson overlays vivid colour portraits on blurred black and white backgrounds to give the impression of growth and the passage of time.
“I see pride in my people all the time when I’m out on the street talking to them, and I wanted the rest of the country to see what I was seeing.”
Ms Hobson and other traditional owners run Kalan Enterprises, an Aboriginal corporation involved in civil contracting, land management and community development. The organisation has created full and part-time jobs for young people on Cape York to give them skills, while allowing them to stay in community.
“We have a lot of stories to tell, come and listen, we are open hands,” she said.
“Come and have a look at the young fellas. They are proud boys, don’t red tape them. They’re not bad people because of the colour of their skin.”
Most recently, the artist also collaborated with Australian makeup brand Mecca to provide their design of the Christmas gift wrapping.
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