Australian-born Fijian artist Yasbelle Kerkow used a Creative Projects Fund grant to explore the intergenerational connection between members of the West Papua community in Melbourne. The result was an exhibition called Kal Angam-Kal, presented at Footscray Community Arts in late 2023/early 2024.
How did you develop Kal Angam-Kal and what inspired it?
Kal Angam-Kal emerged from a deep desire to preserve and share the untold stories of the West Papuan community in Naarm (Melbourne). The project was a collaborative effort led by myself, Cyndi Makabory and Folole Tupuola. We facilitated youth-led intergenerational interviews, where six young community members engaged in heartfelt conversations with their chosen Elders, sometimes even their own parents.
The inspiration for Kal Angam-Kal was first developed in 2021, as an initiative to document Elders' stories in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the first raising of West Papua's national flag, the Morning Star. The Morning Star remains a powerful unifying symbol for West Papua's struggle of self-determination and independence. Despite the grave risks associated with raising it in Indonesia and occupied West Papua, which can result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
The exhibition's title itself, Kal Angam-Kal derives from the indigenous language of the Amungme tribe of Timika, West Papua, meaning "the word has been spoken out." It embodies an intergenerational practice, a never-ending continuation of storytelling as knowledge sharing for the people of West Papua. The name Kal Angam-Kal was chosen through community consultations to ensure indigenous ownership and authenticity in the decision-making.
Tell us about the exhibition and how was it received.
The exhibition, Kal Angam-Kal: Stories from West Papua was showcased at Footscray Community Arts from November 2023 to January 2024. It featured film works capturing the intergenerational interviews, offering the audience an intimate glimpse into the lives and stories of West Papuan Elders through the lens of the youth. The exhibition also included two public programs. The reception of the exhibition and public programs were overwhelmingly positive, culminating in the project receiving a Commendation at the 2024 Victorian Community History Awards.
What has been the impact of the work, particularly in the West Papuan community?
Kal Angam-Kal has had a profound impact on the West Papuan community in Naarm (Melbourne). It provided for Elders to share their experiences, many of which had remained untold for decades. For the youth, it was an opportunity to connect deeply with their heritage, often hearing about their family's journey for the first time. This process not only preserved vital histories but also strengthened community bonds (especially for the young people) and fostered a renewed sense of identity and pride among the participants.
How did your Creative Projects Fund grant assist with this project?
The Creative Projects Fund grant was instrumental in bringing Kal Angam-Kal to fruition. The young participants (Dianna, Lamech, Mariana, Ofa, Sofiana and William) engaged in a series of upskilling workshops hosted by Yarra Youth Services, facilitated by Namila Benson and Folole Tupuola. These workshops were aimed at fostering leadership, enhancing public speaking skills, building confidence, providing media training, and empowering young voices in leading the storytelling process. The grant provided essential resources for the development, production, and presentation of the exhibition. It also supported workshops, filming, editing, and the exhibition setup, ensuring that the stories were captured and shared with the authenticity and respect they deserved.
What are you working on next?
Building on the momentum of Kal Angam-Kal, we are exploring opportunities to expand the project, possibly through touring exhibitions and our digital platform (@kalangamkal on Instagram) to reach a broader audience. Currently, we are in the early stages of producing a short documentary featuring two of the project participants, Mariana and William. Additionally, we aim to continue facilitating intergenerational storytelling within the West Papuan community, ensuring that these vital narratives continue to be preserved and celebrated.
Yasbelle Kerkow received a Creative Projects Fund grant in 2022.
Image caption: 1, 2, 3: Behind the scenes production stills. Photo Credit: Warsan Mohamed. 4, 5 - Installation documentation at Footscray Community Arts. Photo credit: Artificial Studios