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ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ART
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pours soil into hand of traditional landowner Vincent Lingiari, Northern Territory 1975
direct positive colour photograph printed image 76.2 h x 50.8 w cm
Purchased 1994
Accession No: NGA 94.1403
© Mervyn Bishop. Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia
Mervyn BISHOP
Murri people
born 1945 Brewarrina, New South Wales, Australia
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pours soil into hand of traditional landowner Vincent Lingiari, Northern Territory 1975
direct positive colour photograph printed image 76.2 h x 50.8 w cm
Purchased 1994
Accession No: NGA 94.1403
© Mervyn Bishop. Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia
Mervyn Bishop was born in Brewarrina, New South Wales, in 1945. Bishop's position as photographer for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs placed him in a unique position to document Aboriginal life and political activism Australia-wide. He was present in 1975 when Prime Minister Gough Whitlam handed back, with a symbolic pouring of sand into Vincent Lingiari's hand, the 2,500 sq km Wave Hill lease. Lingiari accepted it on behalf of the Gurindji people.