They never made me feel different for any of my decisions and this has allowed me to flourish. To their strength, their determination and their unconditional love. For this I dedicate all my works to them. I was blessed with a very accepting family. My amazing partner is a solid support in my endeavour to test the boundaries and she loves me for who I am on the inside just as much as the outside. I also hope to provide my two younger sisters with an idea that beauty isn’t reflected on the outside, that beauty is an inward concept that we need to accept. A way to release my inner thoughts and pleasures.Ī way to reach larger audiences, a way to hopefully invoke a different thought around Indigenous art and what it means to be a gay Aboriginal woman in 2018. | Photo: IndigenousX Art as therapyĪrt has become a therapy for me.
#Lil nas x gay lipstick alley series
The recent series of artwork is focused on women, the importance of female orgasms and women who love women. My artwork aims to highlight the beauty of the female form in nature. I let my armpit hair flow, my leg hair dance in the wind and I will not bend to mainstream concepts about about what society considers to be beautiful and civil.Ī billboard of my own protest against expectations, the beauty industry, western ideals and consumerism. I found art, after much resistance being the daughter of one of Australia’s most talented Indigenous artists, I found art. How could I make a change to the world of media and impact more people with my messages?Īrt was the answer. Initially I realised that this world wasn’t so nurturing for a lesbian who has Indigenous heritage and a strong voice that opposes stereotypes that the wider community has on these labels. When you repeatedly hear such racist statements or ‘jokes’, it informs you of how it is you are viewed by the rest of the world. ‘You’re too pretty to be gay’, what a weird thing to say to somebody, yet I have heard this over ten times in my life and that is ten times too many. It did get confusing though constantly being challenged about my Aboriginality and then later in life being constantly challenged about my homosexuality.Īpparently I didn’t look Aboriginal and I didn’t look gay. I have Scottish, English and Aboriginal blood mixed through my veins, and I’m proud to identify to all of them. Growing up I could shapeshift into most communities, both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous, but often I was confronted by both about being a ‘White Aboriginal’ or not being black enough. I am excited to challenge contemporary ideas, to empower women to rise above and to challenge stereotypes that wider society have about Indigenous, gay and female peoples. Perhaps I am being a little biased, but woman are a powerful force.Īs a proud Aboriginal gay woman, I am a minority of the population of Australia and it excites me. Her Indigenous heritage has played a key role in her story. Ella Noah Bancroft is an Australian born artist, storyteller, teacher, director and mentor.