Marriage: Love and Law exhibition catalogue - Flipbook - Page 61
SCARRED FOR LIFE
BLAK DOUGLAS
Artist Blak Douglas was
commissioned by NSW State
Archives to create a new work for
Marriage: Love and Law. His video,
Scarred for life extends upon
a body of work that Douglas has
been developing in recent years
which engages with the story of his
father’s mother, Chlorine Morthem
(Dhungatti).
Stolen at 13 from Jerseyville and institutionalised
at Cootamundra Girls home. Upon leaving she worked
on various Stations as a domestic as far as Brewarrina and
Walgett. Later she would return to Kempsey and reside
at Burnt Bridge Mission.
Scarred for life, is a dedication to my Great Uncle, Great Aunt
and Grandmother, each stolen from Jerseyville. Being familiar
with a variety of ceremonial practices of various nations here,
I sought to replicate my own faux initiation. Many initiations
involve scarification and pain. Having been contacted by NSW
State Archives regarding additional records of Nanna’s ‘working’
life; we arranged a meeting whereby an antique ledger revealed
a paragraph featuring words that hit me like the sound of
a cell door slamming. The words written by the white man’s
hand that would determine the fate of Chlorine Morthem and
her dislocation from her Dhungatti tribal origins; her thereby
conscription to the white Australia policy would read:
Fred Drew, half-caste, 13 years to be removed
to Singleton Home, Lizzie Drew, half-caste, 14 years,
and Chlorine Morthem, half-caste, 13 years,
to be removed to Cootamundra.
The words are now tattooed across my heart. They hurt …
twice. This is my monument. My Grandmother was removed
from her family home on 11 March, 1924. The 11th of March
is my birthday. This date shall now be my public holiday.
However, I shan’t be waving an Aussie flag.
43
43 Blak Douglas
Scarred for life
Video installation (still)
2019
Commissioned by
NSW State Archives
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