I Will Survive

(2020)

Memory is a fluid entity that shifts with each recall, creating a new version of truth every time it is revisited. Naturally subjective, it evolves through sharing, shaped by the emotional needs and contexts of both storyteller and listener. As I see it, “a memory changes whenever it is remembered, and its revision becomes a new truth.”

I Will Survive is a series of eight photographic collages based on stories I was told as warnings to keep me safe from dangers beyond civilisation - in the bush, on country, where we would live off the land. These cautionary tales, composed and shared through generations, form the foundation of the works. Through shifting feelings, perspectives, and settings, I portray memory as a dynamic narrative, continuously reshaped and enriched with each retelling. These layers of emotion lend the work a cinematic quality, blurring the line between reality and fiction. “The truth is that I Will Survive isn’t the truth, but maybe it is.”

I draw from horror-inflected cautionary tales, superstitions, and survival stories shared by my Aboriginal and migrant parents and grandparents. These stories become more intricate and resonant with each retelling, gaining depth and emotional resonance over time. “Recalling memories formed in my childhood and ruminating on these stories in adulthood, I dissect the roles my family played in embedding lessons and myths into my subconscious.”

In I Will Survive, I embody multiple protagonists, transforming into characters suggestive of witches, spirits, and monsters. Through visual metamorphosis and mutation, I bring these ancestral stories to life, highlighting their ongoing influence and cultural significance. “I have been taunted and haunted by ghosts, spirits, the paranormal, and beastly forces. Perhaps I misinterpreted noises and voices, embellishing memories amplified by fear. But maybe not.”

Planted in childhood, these stories have grown alongside my evolving understanding of memory and identity. “When I was a child, these moments were my honest truth. Now, I’m sure it was the truth, but then again, I cannot be sure.”

Ultimately, I Will Survive exemplifies how personal histories are continuously reinterpreted and connected across time, emphasising the intricate interplay of memory, storytelling, and cultural heritage.“Considering the subjectively constructive nature of memory-making, I’m sure my recollections have loosened and shifted over time… The truth is, I Will Survive is the truth. But then maybe it isn’t.”

I Will Survive was commissioned by PHOTO Australia for PHOTO 2021 International Festival of Photography.