Evaluating resources for teaching Aboriginal Studies

TITLE OF RESOURCE: If I were white

PUBLICATION/COPYRIGHT DETAILS:
This work was created in 2002 by artist Vincent Ah Kee and is available online from the
Art Gallery of Victoria: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/73371/
FORM/FORMAT:
an artwork consisting of 30 panels, each contain atleast one or multiple written
statements by the artist reflecting on how his life would be different if he had been born
white. The medium is inkjet print on polystyrene board on polyvinyl chloride. Its size is
approximately 252.5 151.5 cm.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

AUDIENCE:
This resource is text-light, with the same words repeated multiple times, making it highly
appropriate for EALD users. The content of the written statements can be confronting
and while it contains no graphic language, would be most appropriate/effective for a
mature stage 5 or stage 6 classes.
This resource is not translated into any other languages of braille, but due to the small
amount of text could be easily translated by in-school personnel.
AUTHOR/OWNER SHIP:
The artist Vernon Ah Kee is always credited in relation to this resource and is its sole
creator. The AGV also credits the Milani gallery Brisbane from whom they purchased the
painting.
CONSULTATION/AUTHENTICITY:
The work draws on the personal lived experiences of the artist, in which he is expert.

CULTURAL PROTOCOLS:
There is no information about the cultural protocols adhered to by the artist in creating
this work.
Written REPRESENTATION of Aboriginal people:
The multiple text statements draw attention to a variety of experiences. One of the great
strengths of this work is it highlights the normal levels of extreme racism through to
LINGUSTIC CONSIDERATIONS

relatively minor inconveniences that Aboriginal people experience regularly. This

resource really plays with ideas about individual experience versus shared experience of
racism, of normal and abnormal and of stereotyping. The text really challenges white
people to see how specifically theyre catered too by a wider society, and question what
they take for granted within it.
EMPHASIS:
This work speaks on a variety of topics from politics to history to the act of being a
consumer, to philosophy, to self-presentation, to human rights to autonomy. This is not
a cheery resource, and speaks honestly about a variety of issues in a way that is quite
serious and sobering. The emphasis is most strongly on the artists own voice, and the
viewers projections about how the artist must feel.
 TERMINOLOGY:
While there is no regularly applied terms or jargon that could be problematic, Ah Kee
quotes a variety of colloquialism that students will probably be familiar with through
popular culture. Ah Kee deliberately explores the meaning and power of these often
offhand comments, allowing for students to critically examine how they speak about
Aboriginal people.
AUTHOR /AUTHORITY:
See general considerations author/authority section
VISUAL CONSIDERATIONS

CONTEXT:
this resource could be used or introduced to students as individual sections or panels
and its meaning/impact will be effected by its presentation to students. The whole work
as pictured above has a far stronger impact, because each individual section is
contextualised by the other issues around it. The cumulative effect of the whole work is
very powerful, but breaking it down into sections would be highly effective for detailed
analysis or pre-reading/predictive activities.
Visual REPRESENTATION of Aboriginal people:
see written considerations Written REPRESENTATION of Aboriginal people section
WHERE/HOW WOULD/COULD YOU USE THIS RESOURCE:
This resource would be very valuable as an introduction to exploring the effects of
colonisation on Aboriginal Australians. This resource would function well in an
USEABILITY

introductory activity. In terms of the syllabus; this resource will increase students
understanding of Aboriginal Peoples ongoing contribution to, and interaction with, the
wider Australian society. This resource is extremely valuable in terms of exploring the
factors influencing attitudes towards Aboriginal Peoples and
cultures, and the effects of these attitudes as well as underlining the importance of
social justice and equity

NOTE: additional research may be necessary to answer these questions. If research is required
this should be noted. If information cannot be found, list as unknown this could affect the
suitability of the resource.