Reclaim, Re-Frame and Release

Name: Reclaim, Re-Frame and Release
Start: 2025-07-10T02:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-11-01T08:30:00.000Z
Location: Sydney Observatory

Ended 1 Nov 2025

12–7.30pm

Free

FreeStandard All ages

Sydney Observatory

On Gadigal Land

Sydney Observatory

1003 Upper Fort St, Millers Point NSW 2000

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This project challenges the colonial gaze embedded in historical images such as Pacific Island family by Kerry and Co (Object No. 85/1284-1228 (opens in new tab)).

These photographs were often staged and used to commodify Indigenous peoples for colonial audiences.

The names and tribal affiliations of those pictured were rarely recorded, erasing vital cultural and family histories — many of which are still being reclaimed by descendants today.

This collection of community portraits was taken during Matariki celebrations at Sydney Observatory in 2024. This body of work reclaims our photos, reframes and releases them — our way.

A silver gelatin dry plate glass negative in portrait format. The image shows a group of Pacific Islander people, three men and two women, photographed in a studio setting. The group has been photographed in front of a back drop painted with a forest scene. Two of the men stand holding axes. Seated on a bench in front of the standing men are two women and a man. The man sits in between the two women. The men wear wrap around fabric skirts. The seated man also wears a necklace and a scarf across his body. The woman in the left of the image wears a light coloured dress with a yoke and long, full sleeves. She holds a shawl in her lap. The woman in the right of the image wears a wrap around fabric skirt and a dark coloured shawl around her shoulders. Woven plant fibre mats cover the floor of the studio. The caption, studio number and studio mark are inscribed on the reverse of the negative.

A black and white group portrait of the kapa haka group, Te Raranga Whānui. Seated at the front are Laurie Sarich, Neta Sarich. Behind them are Casey Fenton, Moana McLeod, Ashley Simon, Marei Peters, Hope Harris, Tiana Tiakiwai. At the back are Conway McLeod, Rata McGregor Jnr, Josh Simon, Royal Kingi Pita.

‘When my grandpa passed away earlier this year, it underscored for me the significance of preserving tangible memories through photography. With this in mind, this project serves as an homage to our ancestors and a tribute to those who paved the way before us. It also represents a reclaiming of our narrative— portraying our people, by our people.’

Shalamah Tautaiolefue

A part of

Matariki 2025

Ended 19 Jun 2025Sydney Observatory