Moffatt's linear narrative of the 'Stolen Generation'

In her short film, 'Night Cries - A rural tragedy', Moffatt touches upon the controversial subject matter regarding the 'Stolen Generation'; a topic that is still regarded as one of Australia's darkest periods in colonial history. Moffatt continues this exploration with her 1998 series, ‘Up in the Sky’ which addresses the traumatic experience of the Stolen Generation. As a victim of the systematic dispossession of Aboriginal children, Moffatt grew up in a non-indigenous foster home in Queensland. With most of her work,  there is an autobiographical element which provokes the kind of affective response that only comes from lived experience as previously witnessed in her short film. ‘Up in the Sky’ is no different. Her filmographic sequence depicts the psychological trauma of Australia’s assimilation policy. Art curator Felicity Fenner described the series,“Irony, wit and a wry intellectual approach to negotiating the conflicted intersection between black and white social territory in Australia today.” 


Moffatt engages the audience with imagery derived from witnessing a traumatic event through her use of visual language, expressing rather than recounting a linear narrative. Consequently, Moffatt activates visual sensations of her memory to connect with the audience (who are not associated with the Stolen Generation) to the experience  of an important event in Australian history. Simple narrative could not express this experience in a more profound way. Furthermore, Moffat is able to document the traumatic event to be viewed by those in the present, with the intent to educate and bring forth awareness.


Most artists that comment on this subject matter lace their work with anger, however Moffatt's approach is refreshing and perhaps more effective to understanding the events of the past. Her narrative showcases balance and perspective. ‘Up in the Sky’ recognises the sociological ignorance of white Australia’s early colonial arrogance without the contempt. Instead, what occurs is a journey into the memory of the artist which welcomes the audience to engage with the trauma of the past and its imprint on contemporary Australia. As with all her work, the audience is left to forge their own opinions and conclusions about the morality of the nation's history.

Images all by Tracey Moffatt - 'Up in the Sky' 1998