Elijah Kinnavong
'village princess / blessing' 2024, Unstretched primed cotton canvas, acrylic aerosols, paints, pens and oil sticks with aluminium grommets. Dimensions vary.
Artist statement
village princess and blessing look at the ever-changing relationships to culture and family through an eye of mixed heritage. The two works are reimagined photos I have taken of my dad’s immediate family, whom are Tai Dam people from Laos, coming to Australia in the 80s. Within the works, there is a depiction of my ma and poppy, and my aunty doing a blessing for uncle.
Through mixed-media application consisting of aerosol, brushes, pens and skin, I attempt to reflect on my dynamic relationship between myself and my family’s histories, culture and connection. The work intends to help us realise that our connection between ourselves and our loved ones is never static, never concrete.
Acknowledgement of Country
UNSW School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.
We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
