Retrace (2023-)
An ongoing whole year research for my Honours Degree at UNSW Art & Design, this project continues my location exploration in the Prisoners of War Campsite, Cowra, New South Wales.
Reflecting on the meaning of continuously revisiting a Prisoners of War campsite, located Central West of New South Wales in a town called Cowra, exploring its historical importance, and unraveling my personal culture and history tie to this place, my work emerges. The border I tangled with this place, its relevance, its ties to its genesis - are they remnants of colonialism? Marks of discrimination? Echoes of the minority? My creative pursuit employs photography, moving image, and sound in an exploration of self. Delving into the intricacies of my Chinese-Indonesian identity's layers, my work shapes a narrative of journey. The questions arise, what do these recurrent visits mean to me? What connection do I hold to the site, its past, and its origin?
Christopher Mulia, Retrace, 2022-2023, inkjet prints, perspex, one-channel video, installation view, UNSW Galleries, 2023. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Christopher Mulia, Retrace, 2022-2023, inkjet print, 8x10" negatives, archival documents, light box, one-channel video, fragile tape, installation view, UNSW Galleries, 2023. Photo: Gavin Jowitt.