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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The boy who smoked the waterfall, 2009

by Brayden Doig

The boy who smoked the waterfall, 2009

Year 12, Anglican Church Grammar School QLD
fibre-tipped pen
273.0 x 335.0 cm
on display at the National Portrait Gallery

As an Australian growing up in Papua New Guinea, I have spent the past eight months exploring my connection to its culture and people. I observed daily life such as women washing with bowls of water, men smoking tobacco rolled in newspaper and the gazing boy, which caused me to question my connection with this culture and my own identity. To me smoking in Papua New Guinea symbolises the legacy of colonisation, while the waterfall represents the purity of the Papuan people’s cultural spirit.

Headspace 9

Headspace 9
(More information, View all 34 images)

Blinded by hate
Untitled
Split conXtions
Untitled

Related information

Rose’s afternoon delight, 2009 by Rose Hammer
Rose’s afternoon delight, 2009 by Rose Hammer
Rose’s afternoon delight, 2009 by Rose Hammer
Rose’s afternoon delight, 2009 by Rose Hammer

Headspace 9

Self Identities - Making Connections

Previous exhibition, 2009

Headspace 9 is an exhibition of outstanding student self portraits (paintings, drawings, printmaking, photography and media arts) by Year 10, 11 and 12 school students that will engage a national audience.
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The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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