NOT MY QUEEN Sovereignty
Luther Cora
- Sitter: Tayvonne-precious Cora
- Medium: Photograph
- Dimensions: 70cm x 104cm
- Representation: This artist represents themselves
About the artwork and sitter
This is a portrait of the artists daughter, Tayvonne-precious Cora.
As well as being a personal representation, it addresses broader questions around sovereignty, possession and colonialism.
‘Not my Queen’ Sovereignty, is part of a series called ‘Breast Plates’.
‘In 2022 we saw the death of the Queen of England, and this brought up alot of different emotions for a lot of peoples and groups especially First Nations People.’
‘So it speaks not only of the figure (Queen) and the monarchy but saying its not our system, its not our law, not our ways.
We have our own Hierarchy our own Lore our own ways,
Our Sovereignty was never ceded.’
About the artist
Luther Cora comes from the Bungarre family of the Yugumbeh language group of the Bundjalung nation which is in the Gold Coast/Tweed area. He is a respected community leader, artist and cultural performer.
His paintings tell stories of his life, as well as his connection to family and country, his totems, in particular the strong connection to Salt Water and the Salt Water lifestyle. He has been taking photographs for years, but mostly of his children. During lockdown, he began shooting other people.
In his work as an artist he has designed football code jerseys and boots for the Indigenous rounds, and in 2022, designs for a a ducati motorcycle.
