As a First Nations woman, I have been fortunate enough to live on both my Grandmother and Grandfather’s countries for most of my life.
I am a very proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri woman who is now fortunate enough to live on beautiful Yuin Nation country, a place my mother lived for the last 20 years of her life while maintaining her traditional connection to our homelands.
These three connections are full circle for me.
About the Artist
Alana Harris was born in Penrith, NSW, in 1966 and is a proud member of the Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri Nations. She grew up in Cowra, NSW, but on completing her Higher School Certificate moved to Canberra in 1984. She received a traineeship in photography at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (AIAS) in Canberra that year and commenced a Diploma of Arts (Photography) at the Canberra Institute of Technology in 1985. In 1987, she participated in the ‘After 200 years’ project and was employed as Senior Photographer at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Studies (AIATSIS, formerly AIAS).
Alana has been involved in many exhibitions including a solo exhibition at the High Court of Australia. She has received several awards, including twice-winning the NAIDOC ACT Aboriginal Artist of the Year award and the inaugural Australian Heritage Commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Art Award (Photography). In 1995, she was awarded a professional development grant from the Australia Council.
Alana has been involved in the arts scene around the Canberra region for many years. She was a member of the ACT Cultural Council, Chair of the Visual Arts Committee and has guest judged for many art competitions.
Images
Untitled (detail) by Alana Harris
Untitled (detail) by Alana Harris
Untitled (detail) by Alana Harris
Untitled (detail) by Alana Harris
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