Bending the Twig – Indigenous Learning Ecologies Video Series 2013
This project revealed complex ecologies of connection to place, community, mentors and teachers as well as the key role of images, language and visual arts curriculum and pedagogy. Initially developed as a teaching and learning resource to assist Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, this video series captures ideas important in the educational journeys of four young Indigenous Pre-Service Visual Arts teachers and two Art Education Alumni from COFA, as well as the historical perspective of Vic Chapman, an Aboriginal Elder, Artists and Educator.
Using a visual lens the significance of the project lies in the extension of knowledge about connection to people, places and matters of importance to Indigenous Educators across generations, from 1975 to the present. The project spans historical and regional geographical identities to include the perspective of Vic Chapman, who became the first Indigenous Principal in NSW in 1975, as well as contemporary graduates and current students in their first, second, third and final year of the four year BArtEd at COFA.
Highlights include the importance of visual and aesthetic education in the journey of this group of Indigenous Australians as well as their passionate commitment to the specialist combination of art and education. Each person’s journey reveals some common experiences of schooling, especially the complex ecologies of connection to place, community, mentors and teachers as well as the key role of images and visual arts in enabling access to education. Artworks and images made by each person in the video series provide a glimpse of the preoccupations of the respondents, highlighting the importance of visual practice as a key vehicle for both the production of art, reparation and enabling others. Variations in the educational journeys were also evident, especially the key motivational factors for success, leadership and overcoming obstacles. Evidence of self generating pedagogies for both themselves and others, alongside the development of personal meaning and focus are themes that gradually reveal across the video series how the actions of others helped or hindered learning and educational achievement. Finally, Vic talked about “bending the twig” in educational settings and the importance of “corrective history” in working alongside Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to enable dialogue, understanding and reciprocity through visual arts practice and the transformative potential of art education.
Indigenous Learning Ecologies was funded by a COFA Learning & Teaching Grant in 2013 which was awarded to Kim Snepvangers, Head, School of Art History & Art Education at COFA, UNSW.
The significance of the Visual.
Indigenous learning ecologies at COFA.
The video highlights how visual Arts has a unique and powerful role in the educational journey of Indigenous Pre-service Teachers and Alumni at the College of Fines Arts, UNSW. As well as key visual arts teachers and practitioners, strong visual arts experiences, events and activities and how artworks are actually made and recognised plays a strong part in the development of a professional career.
Why did you choose to study art education?
Indigenous learning ecologies at COFA.
The video highlights how for some of these people their high school art teachers were instrumental in showing them that teaching art was a inspirational and important career move. What is significant is the realisation that to teach art as an Aboriginal teacher would be pivotal in encouraging future generations of Aboriginal students to enter universities to study art and art education. As has been spoken of by more than one of the participants, the richness of the students own culture can and will be encouraged by their exploration through art, rather than learning about Aboriginal art as ‘some other community’s property or cultural expression’.
Jessica Bulger
Indigenous learning ecologies – Wiradjuri, Tumut, New South Wales.
Vic Chapman, Aboriginal Artist/Elder/Educator interviews Jessica Bulger, COFA BArtEd Alumni, about her educational journey. The video highlights the significance of community and going ‘home’, inspiring students, the significance of Aboriginal art education, being a COFA graduate, making connections through art, authenticity and teaching Indigenous content and the significance of education.
Jamie-Lea Hodges
Indigenous learning ecologies – Wiradjuri, Cowra-Coonamble, New South Wales.
Vic Chapman, Aboriginal Artist/Elder/Educator interviews Jamie-Lea Hodges, COFA BArtEd Alumni, about her educational journey. The video highlights the significance of Indigenous Art educators, having a community role, attitudes and stereotypes, becoming a teacher, the significance of a role model, overcoming issues, following your path and making a future.
Vic Chapman
Indigenous learning ecologies – Yuwaalaraay, Currawillinghi and Hebel,
Queensland and Goodooga, New South Wales. The video highlights key moments and observations in the educational journey of Vic Chapman, Aboriginal Artist/Elder/Educator as well as interview questions and responses from the perspective of the interviewer for the Indigenous Learning Ecologies ‘Bending the Twig’ Video series. As the first Indigenous Principal in NSW, Vic’s insights, expertise and experiences are invaluable and reveal the “corrective histories” made possible with the intervention of Aboriginal educators in schooling and visual arts practice.
Brady Prescott
Indigenous learning ecologies – Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuan, Broken Hill, New South Wales.
Vic Chapman, Aboriginal Artist/Elder/Educator interviews Brady Prescott, Current COFA BArtEd Student, about her educational journey. The video highlights significant moments, inspiring people & community, going ‘home’, supporting Indigenous students, university and becoming an art educator, broadening knowledge and art practice and the significance of education.
Lowanna Moran
Indigenous learning ecologies – Gamillaroi, Mudawarray, Walgett, New South Wales.
Vic Chapman, Aboriginal Artist/Elder/Educator interviews Lowanna Moran, Current COFA BArtEd Student, about her educational journey. The video highlights connection to community, art development, how to provide encouragement, safe rooms and environments and making learning exciting.
Jesse Ingrey Arndell
Indigenous learning ecologies – Yuin, Port Macquarie, New South Wales.
Vic Chapman, Aboriginal Artist/Elder/Educator interviews Jesse Ingrey-Arndell, Current COFA BArtEd Student, about his educational journey. The video highlights inspiration, significant moments and having a ‘focus’, the significance of education, being at COFA and supporting Indigenous students, the role of Visual Arts in learning, acceptance, stereotypes, diversity and finding your path.
Wesley Shaw
Indigenous learning ecologies – Yuin, Wreck Bay (Jervis Bay), New South Wales.
Vic Chapman, Aboriginal Artist/Elder/Educator interviews Wesley Shaw, Current COFA BArtEd Student, about his educational journey. The video highlights key moments and overcoming criticism, inspiring people, background, community and guidance, taking up opportunities, learning through Visual Arts, overcoming obstacles and inspiring students.