Nici Cumpston, a proud Barkandji artist, curator, writer, and educator, highlights the significance of the Barka (Darling River) and the Murray-Darling Basin in her work. 

Through her art and advocacy, she addresses the crisis facing these vital waterways, emphasizing the need for recognition and protection. Documenting the backwaters and inland lake systems since 2000, she captures the ongoing connection and responsibility of Aboriginal peoples to the land. Her portraits of trees and waterways serve as a platform for discussion, urging collective action to safeguard our water resources. 

Cumpston's work invites us to humanize the rivers, recognizing their role as lifelines that sustain us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As custodians of the land, she calls for a cultural responsibility to care for these vital ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of speaking up to ensure their protection for future generations.

In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Cumpston was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for "service to the museums and galleries sector, and to Indigenous art"

Through various projects, collaborations, and exhibitions, she reflects on how photography serves as a powerful medium for storytelling, cultural expression, and raising awareness about environmental and social issues. We also touch on the challenges and opportunities in photography today, including the impact of digital technology and the role of ethical considerations when working on sacred lands.

I hope you enjoy the show!

You can find Nici’s work  here:

Website: https://nicicumpston.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nici.cumpston

Listen to this and other episodes wherever you find your podcasts or on https://grantswinbournephotography.com/lpw-podcast

Or subscribe to my YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@grantswinbournephotography

Theme music: Liturgy Of The Street by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

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