COMMITMENT to culture is what’s inspired artist and Ngiyampaa man Anthony Hayward to begin making art and artefacts from his home in Broken Hill seven years ago.
Hayward said it was at the suggestion of his cousin that he learnt how to make artefacts for the sake of strengthening cultural ties and maintaining traditional practice.
“I was about 26 when I started making, I’m 33 now,” he said.
“I was just keen to learn and had seen what my cousin and other family members were doing and knew the importance of maintaining our cultural practices.
After completing school Hayward worked as a trainee at the local art gallery, before moving to Sydney for three months to work for the Biennale of Sydney for three months.
“I was being exposed to art but I just couldn’t see that in myself then,” he said.
“So to now become a part of the art community and exhibit at the gallery, it’s a full circle moment.”
Now when artmaking, Hayward said he thinks a lot about his family and culture.
Hayward’s grandmother descended from the Cobar area, and his grandfather was brought up on Menindee mission.
“My grandfather was a speaker of both Ngiyampaa and Barkandji, as well as English,” he said.
“On the missions they were punished for speaking their language so he wouldn’t really speak it often, although he knew it fluently.”
Hayward said hearing these experiences of his descendants instilled in him a deep value in ensuring cultural practice was continued and passed down to younger generations.
“My carving practice, the heart of the reason I do it is because I see the importance and value in maintaining cultural, maintaining cultural practice,” he said.
“We need to keep carving, making things like boomerangs and spears, not just to show but also to live who we are as Aboriginal people in the modern world. To make and trade with other Aboriginal people, we keep that cultural practice alive.”
In his role working with people who are in or recently out of prison, he’s able to offer cultural practice into prison programs.
“I was able to share my skills and knowledge with those I work with, and also get the opportunity to learn from others as well,” he said.
He also shares his practice with a younger generation of Aboriginal youth.
“It’s important to teach the younger generation who are drawing more and more away from our traditional lifestyle,” he said.
“There’s young fellas in the community that sit and watch me or my mate, and we carve together. It’s good to have these younger kids that are interested in carrying it on as well, it’s nice to share knowledge.”
Hayward said he’s always got multiple projects on the go, though he’s focusing on an exhibition with Slag Heap Projects and the Old Vic Gallery currently, alongside artist Badger Bates.
“I’ve got like twenty projects on the go currently – paintings, stone carving, wood carvings,” he said.
“A few different things. I work very spontaneously so I might not pick up an axe or a paintbrush for a while, then randomly come up with an idea and do it.
“The current project is more structured in terms of working towards a specific date.
“It’s good to have a goal in mind. I’ve been sort of chipping away at each different thing and seeing where it lands.”
Hayward said he’s excited to see what opportunities arise from his art in the year ahead.
“I’d never really thought about artmaking as an artistic career or business as such, till someone once said that my work was good and I should think about it,” he said.
“I’m excited to see how this year’s going to turn out artistically for me, and where those opportunities might lead.”
