2019 fellow: Hayley Millar-Baker

Research project: Australia: B-side

Hayley's research will respond to the Library's archives that predominantly present a colonial Australian perspective. Her project will investigate our histories – with a focus on south-east Victoria – from an Aboriginal perspective.

Through new knowledge and understanding, Hayley will weave together new narratives on old 'truths' by reconstructing written, verbal and visual histories held in the Library's archives. The sources and stories uncovered in relation to Australia's Aboriginal histories will inform the work, its process and outcome, providing a broader narrative and context for dialogue around south-east Aboriginal Australia.

Hayley will create works that speak to the broader Australian community, and share histories/knowledge in a way that is accessible, informative and act as a healing mechanism. Her outcomes will engage with the public through; talks, workshops, panel discussions, lectures and mentoring.

Hayley Millar-Baker holds a Bachelor of Fine Art (2010), Master of Fine Art (2017) and a Master of Teaching (Visual Art) (2015). A Gunditjmara woman and experienced artist with a background in art education, Hayley draws strength from her Gunditjmara bloodlines, history, education and the landscape.

Her works confront and craft past, present and future stories of south-east Aboriginal existence, and honour the connectedness of intergenerational experiences of Aboriginality.

Hayley's works have been selected for many awards, including the Ramsay Art Prize (2019), John Fries Award (2019) and Primavera (2018. She has exhibited nationally, including at the Sydney Festival and Melbourne Art Trams (2018), Ballarat International Foto Biennale (2017) and Yirramboi Festival (2017/2019).