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Art's Hero or Myth? New Bio Unravels Papunya Painter Story
31 Oct
Summary
- A new biography challenges the heroic narrative of Geoffrey Bardon.
- The book explores the complex relationship between two Bardon brothers.
- It questions the 'white savior' myth surrounding the Papunya art movement.
A recent biography, "Art Mania: Geoffrey Bardon and the Painting Men of Papunya" by Kitty Hauser, is reshaping the understanding of the Western Desert Aboriginal art movement's origins. It scrutinizes the popular, often mythologized, account of Geoffrey Bardon's role.
Hauser's work delves into the Bardon brothers' relationship, with James Bardon leveraging his younger brother's experiences for his own literary and artistic endeavors. The biography probes the idea of cultural appropriation within the narrative.
Further complicating the story, the book connects the Papunya art movement's beginnings to Geoffrey Bardon's later psychiatric treatment at Chelmsford hospital. This institution, known for its controversial deep sleep therapy, is thematically linked to the 'whitewashing' of cultures.
The biography reveals that Indigenous art was already present before Bardon's arrival and challenges the notion of him being the sole initiator. It suggests his departure from Papunya in 1972 remains a mystery, possibly linked to complex circumstances.
Ultimately, "Art Mania" presents Geoffrey Bardon as a complex, pained individual, rather than a simple hero or victim. The book emphasizes the limitations of fully knowing such intricate historical events.
