ROOM 5: THE CHURCH OF COLLUSION
We arrive at the heart of the matter, in a church not unlike the small white one that remains on the island today. As you pass the toilet note that the ensuites at the Rottnest Quod are the only remaining original cells; white tiled tombs. The next two photographs refer directly to the Heathcote space and mimic the peep holes in the doors; both sites have a shared history of internment. Heathcote’s history is available to everyone.
PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLABORATION BY TANIA FERRIER & JAMES KERR.
14. Ensuite. Digital Photograph.
15. Vincent Lake . Photographic print on ceramic. Rottnest sign. Here is the font as you enter the church of collusion. The holy water is from Lake Vincent on Rottnest and is salty like tears.
16. Judas Hole. Diptych. Digital Photograph. 1/2
17. Judas Hole. Diptych. Digital Photograph. 2/2
18. Stone Wall. Digital photograph.
This man sees us looking at him through a hole in history.
19. If these walls could speak. Series of five digital photographs.
As you continue down the long wall the two histories are aligned in the same space.
20. If these walls could speak. Series of five digital photographs.
Does the child sense something?
22. If these walls could speak. Series of five digital photographs.
There are concealed cell doors in the walls of the Quod today and Ferrier imagines the prisoners peering back to the future, to a time and place they could not have believed possible.
21. If these walls could speak. Series of five digital photographs.
As you continue down the long wall the two histories are aligned in the same space.
23. If these walls could speak. Series of five digital photographs.
24. Gilt Frame. Digital photograph.
Some people tell me they have strange dreams when they stay at the Quod: Henry Vincent’s Nightmare.
25. The floor diagram is that of the original Quod prison.
Between 140 & 180 prisoners were kept in one third of the area of the Quod in the 2m x 3m cells.
26. Ascension. Inkjet print on canvas.
A young man leaps in flight to release the spirits. It is estimated 373 Aboriginal men died in the Quod.
27. There is lots of history here. Inkjet print on canvas. From current Rottnest Lodge Brochure.
28. The Quod Cell. Series of three digital photographs. Elders Cedric Jacobs and Noel Nannup embody Rottnest prisoners in the cell set installation. They take the journey and take us with them. We bare witness. It is dark and quiet and immensely sad.
29. The Quod Cell. Series of three digital photographs. Elders Cedric Jacobs and Noel Nannup embody Rottnest prisoners in the cell set installation. They take the journey and take us with them. We bare witness. It is dark and quiet and immensely sad.
30. The Quod Cell. Series of three digital photographs. Elders Cedric Jacobs and Noel Nannup embody Rottnest prisoners in the cell set installation. They take the journey and take us with them. We bare witness. It is dark and quiet and immensely sad.
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