Saturday

25-04-2015
Mi Hao Chua

NGV Ian de Gruchy Anzac Projection

Mateship in an Institution & the Shift in Perception of Female Incarceration
Ian de Gruchys art projection on the main walls of the National Gallery of Victoria was a very
overwhelming nationalistic display. It was able to relay the message of anzac within the
expansive walls of Ngv. Featuring artwork from The Anzac cove, the photographic slide show of
the history brings up an empowered image of the army soldiers dated back in 1915. The images
are quickly related to the strong nationalistic propaganda intended to encourage and boost the
soldiers' confidence subscribed to army.
Also the slide show depicted a tightly embedded spirit among the soldiers - mateship. There is a
particular image where a soldier is holding his dead comrade with only their silhouettes shown.
This image is used smartly in a way that it allows the viewers to imagine something more than
they were shown.
The term mateship is something which I see as a type of bond formed within a group who are
experiencing the same pattern of life at the same time. It is coincidental yet strongly established
when found. This form of social connection can also be seen in an institution, especially a women
rehabilitation centre. I guess an environment that offers less freedom is able to make people start
thinking about the inner context more than the outer context of the institution. So, mateship
would likely occur between females. They lack the outside connection, but they could establish
inside connection, among the incarcerated. This is a very communal spirit that helps people feel
like they belong to something, somewhere and someone.
The establishment of a connection prevents potentially vulnerable inmates from experiencing
aloneness, which might probably lead to unwanted consequences, such as existential crisis or any
other kind of mental instability. It allows communication to take place more often, at the same
time opening up the opportunity for people to form their culture a culture they share that
belongs to them.
The combination of some newer images with the old images refreshes the memory of the old, in a
current and revitalising way. The relationship between the two is very effective in inviting people
to understand and appreciate the content of the art projection for those who have slight idea about
the event.
When viewed in the context of women rehabilitation centre, the old and new perception of female
incarceration will have certain similarities as well as differences. One of the differences that has
emerged in tandem with the advancement of the technological age is that females today are more
unrestricted in their scope of capability like some females are the bread winners in a family. For
the same reason they should be seen as the respected ones even in incarceration, that they are
admitted to an institution for an enhancement of their capability and talents.
By instilling a mindset that advocates for the betterment of females, the societal perception
towards a female rehabilitation centre will certainly shift in definition, for the better and more
positive.