PHOTOGR APHY
November–December 2015 29“Photography, cinematography and
the arts are areas where people can
do something they really love and
still remain connected to their land.
Hopefully, we can help raise up some
of these up-and-coming artists to give
them a real income stream.”
In Ken’s vision, the centre would
create employment not just in the
arts, but in tourism. Locals would be
employed as guides to show visitors
their land. “We go out there and work
with them and we learn from them,
then they come and walk a while with
us, and learn from us. That’s how we’ll
get true reconciliation.”
Ken acknowledges that Ikuntji
already has an excellent arts centre and
school, and that the new centre would
complement them. “It’s something
special for the community and the kids
to share. Especially for our kids to
learn new technology,” says resident
Gordon Butcher Tjapanangka.Cinematographer Wayne Osborne,
from the Central Coast of NSW,
has been involved in the workshops.
He says it doesn’t take long before
the young photographers are asking
people to stand beside particular
geographical features or to pose
in a particular way. “The nature of
Walk a While is to work a long time
with them – getting beyond just the
novelty of it to a real skill level.”
Country gospel singer Steve
Grace has also been involved with
the foundation, setting up and
running music workshops every year
and writing songs with members of
the community. “Ken Duncan
contacted me and encouraged me to
go out in the western deserts because
they were playing my music out there,”
he says. “And I very quickly fell in love
with the...communities.”
Steve and his crew set up properNot bluffing. For 14 years Ken Duncan (left)
has taught photography to the children of the
NT community of Ikuntji, in the shadow of
Haasts Bluff (above) – a rock feature he has
shot many times. Through the Walk a While
Foundation he is building an arts and technology
centre that will foster an interest in music,
photography and film among local kids.