Journeys North

Artist8statement Robert Mercer These photographs all emanate from two trips I made to northern regions ofQueensland. In September 1986, I visited Yarrabah Aboriginal mission, Cairns, Mantaka and Laura. I returned in January and February 1987 visiting Kowanyama Aboriginal mission and the Torres Strait Islands, which included Thursday Island, Coconut Island, Yorke Island and Murray Island. My initial concern was to photograph the life and culture ofAboriginal and Islander people, although it wasn't that simple. What I found was confusion. The remnants of a rich and vital foundation kept alive by the elders and spoilt by European/Western intrusion and manipulation. Consequently the images reflect something of this predicament.