Start at Home No. 103 - Damien Shen and James Tylor

Damien Shen is an artist who lives and works in Adelaide. He has Ngarrindjeri and Chinese heritage, and he uses drawing, painting, and photography to share stories about who he is. His art helps people think about Australia’s history, culture, and identity in new ways.

James Taylor is a Canberra-based artist. He has Kaurna, Māori, and European heritage, which inspires his work. He uses photography and other art forms, mixing old and new techniques to explore Australia’s land, history, and identity.

Together Damien and James collaborated on CIPX Kaurna Miyurna (Critical Indigenous Photographic Exchange with the Kaurna Community). It is part of a global project called the Critical Indigenous Photographic Exchange, started by artist Will Wilson, a Diné (Navajo) artist based in New Mexico, USA. Damien’s and James’ photographic series, CIPX Kaurna Miyurna, celebrates important Kaurna people in Adelaide on Kaurna land. They used an old-style tintype camera process to create portraits of their community. Unlike old colonial photos, this project is respectful and gives control to the people being photographed. Sitters choose how they are represented and keep their original photos.

  • Tintypes were very popular in the 1800s and are made on thin metal plates, not paper, so they feel like little metal photos.
  • Tintypes are often slightly uneven or scratched, which gives them a unique, old-fashioned look.

Question:

  • Why do you think it is important for people to choose how they are shown in a photo?
  • How is this different from old photos of Aboriginal people taken a long time ago?

Activity: My Story, My Shot

If you were part of a portrait like this, how would you want to be shown? Take some photographed portraits of a family member or a friend. The sitter gets to choose their pose, expression, props, and background. They then discuss how control changes the image.

  1. Choose who will be in your portrait (a family member or a friend).
  2. Talk with the sitter about how they want to be shown.
  3. Let the sitter decide their pose (how they stand or sit).
  4. Let them choose their facial expression (happy, serious, playful, etc.).
  5. Add any props they want (objects that help tell their story).
  6. Choose a background that suits the person or their story.
  7. Take several photographs of the sitter using their choices.
  8. Look at the images together and select the strongest portrait.
  9. Change the photo using a filter on your camera – black and white, old-style boarder etc.
  10. Discuss: How does it feel when the sitter is in control of how they are shown?
  • A camera (digital camera, tablet, or smartphone)
  • A well-lit space (natural light near a window or outdoor area)
  • Simple props (objects chosen by the sitter e.g. hat, book, toy, scarf)
  • A plain or interesting background (wall, outdoor setting, fabric, or room space)
  • A way to view images (screen on camera/tablet or computer)
  • Paper and pen (optional, for noting ideas or discussing choices)
  • A tripod or stable surface (optional, for steady shots)
  • Printer (optional)

Optional extras:

  • Design your own background using paper, drawings, or collage.
    • Adds ownership and storytelling.
    • Link to visual art elements like colour and texture.
  • Experiment with light using torches or windows.
    • Try soft light, shadows, or dramatic angles.
    • Ask: How does light change the mood?

Transform the photo into a “tintype-style” artwork by printing it in black and white and adding scratches, and sepia tones or even cardboard, foil, to make it look old and textured.