Deconstructing Colonial Modalites with Roberta Joy Rich

Roberta Joy Rich is a creative currently based on Wurundjeri and Bunurong lands of the Kulin Nation (Melbourne, south-eastern Australia). Through video, performance, installation and multi-disciplinary projects Roberta’s work explores constructions of ‘race’ and gender identity. “Rich aims to de-construct colonial modalities through arts practice while ascertaining empowering forms of self determination, often referencing her own [diaspora] African identity and experiences.”

In this interview Roberta reflects on finding joy in creativity at an early age, the impact of artist residencies in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and exciting new works in development.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your art practice.

A woman with short curly brown hair, wearing a black jumper smiles while enjoying a wine in front of a lush green garden on a property with red accents.
Roberta enjoying a wine during her exhibition and conclusion of her studio Residency at TwilSharp Studios, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2018. Photography Credit: Zelé Angelides.

I’m a multi-disciplinary visual artist working across a variety of mediums. My work is almost always rooted in personal stories, history and sustained research. I am a first-generation citizen of southern African parents who migrated at different times during the Apartheid regime both hailing from the Kaap. My practice is informed by my family’s experiences, southern African histories and my own experiences as a first generation citizen navigating settler nation Australia. 

How did you start your creative practice and why?

From a young age I always loved drawing and would watch my father’s drafting skills. He was not allowed to study architecture because of the Apartheid regime, but he would draw pictures and images for us with such amazing technical skill. I imagine I inherited some of his talent. I oscillated between “Arts” and “Sports” until my teen angst inner-cynic overtook and I found joy in being creative a way to escape, navigate and understand my experiences and realities.

Where did you grow up and has it influenced what you create?

I grew up on Wathaurong country, along the peninsula, spending much of my time in Leopold and ‘the City of Greater Geelong’. Growing up in Geelong in the 90s and early 00’s, and being one of a handful of African diaspora families at my school, presented various challenges, but these challenges no doubt have influenced my practice and its trajectory. 

A white framed serigraph print artwork is mounted on a white wall. The print depicts text that reads "coloured™" with rainbow colours.
Roberta Joy Rich, Coloured™, 2016. Serigraph on paper, edition varies. Edition of 5. Installation view at Blak Dot Gallery, Brunswick, 2017. Photography Credit: Jorge de Araujo.

Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been a career highlight?

My residencies in Johannesburg and Cape Town (2016)  and subsequent exhibition at Blak Dot Gallery (2017) was definitely a highlight in terms of growth and self development personally and within my arts practice. During this time, I was able to reconnect with family, community and traverse the exciting city of Johannesburg; meeting amazing artists, researchers and musicians. The experience broadened my knowledge of my motherland as well as my capacity to produce a series of works I am very fond of.  I returned for further research and creative development in Jozi and Cape Town in 2018 (another highlight!) and had the privilege of meeting even more amazing people. I am extremely grateful and honoured to have met, shared conversations, laughs and had poetry read to, by South African poet James David Matthews.

Inside a white wall gallery space with artworks on the walls, a crowd of people surround a woman; the artist, wearing a gold and black outfit, is delivering a speech.
Deny / Denial / Denied solo exhibition, opening night at Bubblegum Club, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2016. Photography Credit: Zelé Angelides.

Who or what inspires your art?

I’m really inspired by the practices of Gordon Bennett, proppaNOW collective and Adrian Piper. I often return to particular works by these artists when feeling challenged or a bit lost.

Where do you feel most creative?

In place and with materials I connect with deeply, sometimes it may be a section of a library, nerding out on some history in a book or just meandering around. I feel like I get good ideas in the shower too!

Four panels stand within a wide pine shelf mounted onto a white wall. Each panel shares the same pattern of a silhouette of Africa and photograph of a woman posing, each with varying text headings and colours.
Roberta Joy Rich, Our Time, African Faces, African Unionism and Democracy, 2018. Digital prints on acrylic, with pine shelf, dimensions 14 x 23cm each. Edition 1/1 +AP. Installation view at The Fairest Cape? An account of a Coloured, solo exhibition at Bus Projects, Collingwood, 2018. Photography Credit: Christo Crocker.

What gets you through challenging creative/ industry times?

I’m not sure, I think I am still working that out… definitely music, connecting with family and friends, or going back to sources and materials that previously gave me joy. I really appreciate spending time in the studio; I find that also helps ground myself and my thinking during such times.

Whose work are you digging at the moment?

The practice and work of Nontsikelelo Mutiti. Her work with archives and cross-disciplinary collaborative projects that she has been involved with are really inspiring as I learn and witness more of her work.

What future projects are you looking forward to?

Currently I am working on a few exciting projects, and feel thankful for these opportunities during such a tumultuous and difficult time for artists. This year I was awarded a Creative Development and Mentorship opportunity as part of an unanticipated outcome for the ACMI x Ian Potter Moving Image Commission, alongside peer recipients Nicholas Mangan and Pilar Mata Dupont. For this, I am developing my project traced. that explores a history of  banished southern African protagonists and reimagines their walking journey that navigates place and meaning of being dis/placed. Lockdown has really affected the project’s progression so I am really looking forward to further developing this when possible, but it has also been nice to spend time researching and allowing the concepts to evolve and brew.

I am also looking forward to (when it is safe to travel) resuming my Debra Porch Award Residency. Just before we clocked that COVID actually is a thing for the whole globe to consider, I was about to fly to Yogyakarta for a 3 month residency at the Cemeti Institute for Art and Society. I’m super excited for when this project can happen, as I’ll be researching and exploring more about the Asian roots of southern Africans in my community.

On the much nearer front, I have a very exciting exhibition happening west-side at Footscray Community Arts Centre that I am currently working on, opening next year.

Where can we find and follow you online?

I have past projects people can view via my website www.robertajoyrich.com, and I try to update current and future projects via the “news” section, but you can also follow me on Instagram @robertajoyrich

A square plinth with a perspex vitrine contains a display of an ‘identity card’ in a dark space. The display is lit with a purple light that casts a shadow of these items onto the adjacent wall. There is an obscure reflection on the vitrine glass.
Roberta Joy Rich, untitled installation; plinth with purple theatre light, perspex vitrine and stand with ‘identity card’ archival material, as part of WE KOPPEL, WE DALA, solo exhibition. Installation detail at Metro Arts, Brisbane, 2019. Photography Credit: Louis Lim.

All images courtesy of the artist. Featured image: Roberta Joy Rich,M/other Land, 2018. Four channel HD video installation, installed across various locations within the Arts House building. Total duration: 21’24”. Opening night, Installation detail, Arts House, Melbourne, 2018. Photography Credit: Bryony Jackson.

Author: colourboxstudio

With a mission to foster community engagement, Colour Box Studio provides a dynamic platform for artists, filmmakers, and storytellers to explore their creativity and connect with audiences. Through its curated programs and initiatives, Colour Box Studio offers a range of opportunities including workshops, events, an online artist interview series and community projects. More information: https://colourboxstudio.com/about/