“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who, with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.” ~ Pablo Picasso

While the history of modern art begins around 1860 in Europe with some (French) painters like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne to name a few, Australian modern art only rose in 1891 with the creation of the Heidelberg School.

Claude Monet
 Impression, Soleil Levant  (1872)

Pierre-Auguste Renoir - La Grenouillère (1869)

Paul Cézanne - La Montage Sainte-Victoire (1885)

During the guided tour of Heide, there was this one question which kept running through my mind: What is the difference between modern art and contemporary art? I couldn't bring myself to interrupt the passionate talk of Brenda, our guide, but from what I have found on internet, it seems that what distinguishes the two is the idea of experimentation which you can identify in modernism. The contemporary notion was more frequently used to refer to any piece of works produced after WWII.
That is what was happening in Heidelberg School. Experimentation and innovation were happening and new techniques such as impressionist techniques were being used. It marked a seizure of how Australia was once painted. Before, you could hardly tell if you were looking at a landscape painted in England or in Australia. Heidelberg School was like a revolution in art. Finally, what made Australian landscapes so special, notably its harsh light, was depicted for its true worth.
Another major turning point in Australian modern art was the dedication of Sunday and John Reed who opened their home in Bulleen to artists such as Sydney Nolan, Joy Hester or Albert Tucker.  All of them (writers, musicians, and painters) lived together. Every afternoon, they would all meet in the library to drink tea and converse about anything and everything but mainly to share their opinions and thoughts on books, music and art in general.

Sunday, Sweeney and John Reed

Sydney Nolan (who was also Sunday's lover)

Here is a glimpse of some of his famous paintings: the Ned Kelly series!

Albert Tucker and Joy Hester 

Have a look at some of her paintings!

Here is a priceless interview of Albert Tucker, remembering the good old 

days at Heide!

The Heide property is huge. We are talking about 15 acres of heritage listed garden. Nowadays Heide comprises 3 buildings: Heide 1,which was the Reeds’ original house; Heide 2, which was their second house. They always had the intention to sell itas a national art gallery. That’s why the architecture is modern and suitable for such a plan; and finally, Heide 3, which was built later to house the museum.

While wandering through the park, I had the chance to admire some wonderful and enigmatic sculptures as well as a sumptuous vegetable garden and magnificent trees. The overall atmosphere was so peaceful and relaxing. This visit was definitely worth it. I learnt a lot about a topic which I’m not an expert on and really had an amazing time. I will come back for sure. 

Here is a brief virtual tour of the Heide Museum of Modern Art! Surely, it will make you want to come!! 

ART is everywhere in Australia! All you have to do is look around! Here are some pictures I took while I was travelling around Australia before starting uni!

Australian Indigenous Issues: Why Aboriginal people cannot "get over it" ...

Maybe I had an overly optimistic view or let’s say a simplistic view of Melbourne/Australia in my previous blogspot. I guess that's what happens when you don't dig further than what appears on the surface. However, as it was my first impression when I first arrived in Melbourne, I'm not going to edit it. It is just another side of Melbourne, from the point of view of a traveler.

But when you do actually start digging and questioning, you realize that not everyone feels at ease in Australia. Aboriginal people, whose country has been taken away from them, surely don't.

The documentary we watched in class 3 weeks ago, Utopia by John Pilger, was absolutely revolting and quite distressing. I became aware of things I didn't know were happening. I realized that Australia was a deeply wounded country and was quite shocked by the reality of things.

As I wanted to learn more about this hidden side of Australia, I went to the discovery center at the Melbourne Museum. Over there, I found a book entitled Elders: Wisdom from Australia's Indigenous Leaders from Peter McConchie and was captivated while reading it.

Here are some extracts that particularly struck me:

“The Europeans thought of us as just Neanderthals and barbaric. As far as we are concerned, the European were the barbaric ones. What gives another the right to kill just because they want that bit of land you’re living on?” Vilma WEBB (Bibbulmun Wardandi people)

“They just went out and killed everyone – women, children, warriors, everyone. They did things like burying babies up to their necks in the sand and see who could kick the head of the baby the furthest, riding people down and running sabres or swords through them.” Vilma WEBB

“There can be no reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of this land because there has never been a partnership in the first place to reconcile about.” Max DULUMUNMUN HARRISON (Yuin nation)

These are showing the depth of the wound. We are talking here about INVASION, VIOLENCE, MASSACRE, DISPOSSESSION and LOSS OF CULTURE!

Let’s also not forget the Stolen Generations issue.  Between 1900 and 1970, so many Aboriginal children, usually from mixed blood, were forcibly taken away from their families in order to “purify” them, and to assimilate them. They were placed into institutions or foster families where they were often abused and were never allowed to see their families again. 

On this subject, I recommend everyone to watch the movie called Rabbit Proof Fence. I watched it when I was in high school and will never forget it. It was so disturbing, especially when you know that it is based on true facts.

Nobody seems to be willing to talk about how Indigenous people were and still are treated. It has become a taboo. The worst part is that a lot of people are actually unaware of the current situation.

Someone in the documentary, whose name I have forgotten, said Australia needed an external mediator to deal with Australian Indigenous issues. I think it is quite a sensible idea. Let’s face it, nothing is improving. The country seems to be stuck. How can a country promote peace when such a horrible thing is happening under its roof? 

Here are some shocking facts that Peter Phipps introduced to us:

• Nowadays, Indigenous people’s life expectancy is around 17 years less than the one of  “white” Australians.
• Around 29% of Australia’s prison population are Indigenous people. However, Indigenous people represent only 3% of the whole population.
•   Indigenous people used to be multilingual (sometimes speaking up to 4 or 5 languages). Nowadays, a lot of their languages are critically endangered.
• They are still neglected. They have to deal with racism. Their living conditions are appalling. As a result, they sink into alcoholism, do drugs and commit suicide. Have a look at this television report!

Even though the quality of this video "The Hidden Crime" is not great, I would also recommend to watch it, as it is a really good summary of the history of the Indigenous people.

TIME TO OPEN OUR EYES...

Gnokam Danna Murra Kor-Ki // Give me your hand my friend

The first thing that struck me when I set foot in Australia was the incredible number of Asian people living and working here, especially in suburbs such as Springvale, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Richmond and Box Hill. This was, for me, slightly unexpected since I was completely unaware of Australia’s history before I arrived. Now that I have learned a bit more about it, it makes perfect sense. Even though the first immigrants to settle in Australia in 1788 were not Chinese but European, Chinese immigrants were the larger non British group during the Gold Rush in the 1850s. At that time, the "White Australia Policy" was not yet established but many of these immigrants were stopped and denied entry. Indeed, the idea of a "White Australia" was already taking shape in the minds of the European settlers. They were only favouring the immigration to Australia from places such as Britain. During WW-2, Chinese immigrants were finally allowed in to fight alongside Australians, and as soon as the "White Australia Policy" was removed in 1965, about 6000 immigrants from Asia were arriving each year. Later, Indochinese Refugees were also welcomed into Australia and with their new Australian citizenship, sponsored relatives to come to Australia.

I have to admit that this part of Australian culture was also a shock for me since, in France, Asian immigrants are not so numerous. We do have immigrants in France of course, but the majority of them are from Europe (45%) and from north Africa (Maghreb) (30%). In 2010, it was estimated that 11.1% of the total French population were immigrants. In Australia, this number jumps to 28% according to the 2011 census. French immigration policy has evidently become stricter over time to offset the large waves of immigrants which arrived during the last few decades.  From a personal point of view, I think French people are less open to diversity and multiculturalism. They are maybe too proud of their own culture and own history. They actually expect immigrants to adapt to the French way of life, to adapt to their rules and their customs and not the other way around.

Check this out!

Here is another interesting link!

As a result of large migrant population, Melbourne is easily distinguishable from any other city in the world. However I have to admit that if someone had dropped me in Melbourne without me knowing, I would probably not have been able to guess I was in Australia. This might raise the question of national identity. Then again, maybe Melbourne’s identity lies in its multiculturalism. Multiculturalism in Melbourne transpires in the architecture (Chinatown) and in the proliferation of restaurants honouring cuisines from all over the world. Furthermore, it is very common to hear languages other than English while waiting to cross a street or while on the bus. This is Melbourne’s charm.  

Large numbers of Italians are also well settled in Melbourne, especially in Carlton – Lygon street, also referred to as the  'Little Italy'.

Melbourne is a city where everyone can feel at ease and at home no matter where you come from. Communities are created with people from all over the world. It is all about sharing, giving and receiving.

A glimpse of Melbourne's ethnic diversity ... Enjoy!

Some more...

 My friends (from India and Sri Lanka) and I