My portrait of Bundjalung woman Ella Noah Bancroft was a finalist in this year’s award. It was an honour to share the wall space with so many incredible contemporary Australian photographers. Ella is a Bundjalung woman born in Australia with blood lines to Scotland and England. As a proud Aboriginal gay woman she is the minority of the population of Australia. Growing up she could shape shift into most communities, both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous, but often was confronted by both about being a ‘White Aboriginal’ or not being black enough. It was confusing for Ella constantly being challenged about her Aboriginality and then later in life being constantly challenged about her homosexuality. Apparently she didn’t look Aboriginal and didn’t look gay. This photo of Ella is taken on Bunjdjalung Native Title Land and encapsulates being caught between both worlds. Her glance was accidental, she looked the other way as a stranger walked past.
