Urgent- Having trouble with analysing image

[chickenlips]

Hi, we have to analyse this image and 2 other pieces for our SAC.
1st piece contention is that: white people are calling themselves aboriginal for personal gain
2nd piece is rebutting the first, saying that even though they are half-castes they are still aboriginal.

So here's the image, i have no idea what its trying to say, and how it links to the other articles. Please help.
 


Thanks!

[shinny]

I'm not the most well-read on this issue, but I'll make do with what I do know.

As far as I can tell, the juxtaposition between 'fair skin' and 'black fella' - which are presented in their respective colours is meant to exemplify the notion that despite the apparent disparity between the appearance and culture of half-castes, they remain essentially 'black' - that is, Aboriginal. This is further shown by the figure quite literally depicting a half-caste, with half their body black and their face white. However, the body of the half-caste is coloured in with earthly colours - yellow, red and brown - symbolising the half-caste's connection with the Aboriginal culture despite their half-caste status. Ultimately, readers are positioned to perceive such half-castes as deserving of their Aboriginal status and may consequently harbour a sense of sympathy towards them due to the undeserved questioning of this status in the media previously.


*Shameless plug* Image analysis is something which I know is pretty poorly, or not even covered in many schools, but inevitably makes up quite a large proportion of your marks. There also has been visual analysis almost every single year in the exam. It's something I go through in my course (link to details below in my signature), so anyone interested let me know

[KL_tutor]

Shinny covered the main points well, and yes many schools seemingly ignore the analysis of visuals in spite of this being a fixed part of every exam. When you analyse a visual you begin by looking at the things you see plainly before you. So the writing and the image of the half-caste figure. You can then go into a lot more detail. This is especially critical in your end of year exam where the visual is something that the examiners really hope for you to cover.

As Shinny mentioned, the body of the half-caste is coloured in earthly colours. This can also be extrapolated to the background. The orange background, which almost has a wooden feel to it, also harkens back to the roots of Aboriginal culture. The use of this colour ensures that the contents of the image are considered to be inextricably linked to Aboriginal culture, and thus reinforces the suggestion that a person with fair skin can still culturally be very much an Aboriginal person. The font and the shapes in which the letters are embedded also strengthen this feeling. You might also want to look at the use of 'black fella', a term that is more often heard amongst Aboriginal communities as a descriptor of individuals of Aboriginal background. By saying 'black fella', one implies that the half-caste is regarded by the Aboriginal community as part of their community, in spite of their 'fair skin'. This further sways the audience from the view that skin colour is a critical part of identifying oneself or being identified as Aboriginal. Finally, you might also want to look at the person in the image in a little more detail. The face presented is heavily simplified, with small eyes (encircled with black shadows) and no mouth or ears. The effect of this is to strengthen the sense of sympathy engendered by the image (which shinny has already mentioned), by portraying the half-caste as an almost pitiful and slightly lost figure with no voice and a blank expression. It implies that the reality of the fair skinned Aboriginal is being ignored.

Hope that helped!

I also like how they turned the A into a body and legs for the guy, but that's something you probably wouldn't mention

[chickenlips]

Ahk Thanks guys!

[ech_93]

I need help analysing an image too! The issue is to do with multiculturalism. Could I just say that it shows that it shows Australia's multiculturalism is successful? It has an appeal to patriotism through the Australian flag. The burqa represents the Muslim background, while they wear it proudly with an Australian flag print....

Is any of that right?
Anything I'm missing?

help please!!

image is attached.

[RobM8]

Difficult to analyse this image without the accompanying text or other text(s) you are given as multiculturalism isn't the most specific topic.

My interpretation of that image would be that the reader is positioned to feel that the burqa is not independent of Australia and Australian culture. Obviously shown through the Australian flag - one of the strongest symbols of patriotism - being used as a burqa conveying that a burqa is not 'un-Australian'. I would say that what this depicts about multiculturalism is not so much that is successful but that it can be and it is in our (Australia's) best interests - I am assuming that the issue/text is not a tribute to the multiculturalism of Australia but rather a report contending the benefits of widespread multiculturalism in Australia and its ability to function in favour of society.

Further analysis of image could be undertaken by discussing the facial expression of the girl who is presumably a Muslim living in Australia and the elation conveyed by her facial expression that could be attributed to inhabiting this country and pursuing the opportunities it provides meanwhile keeping a connection to her families Islamic culture/background - highlighting the benefits of a multicultural society. This may be looking a bit too far into it though.

If the text was an attack on multiculturalism or expressed concerns about the concept written by a radical jingoist yobbo - the image could be interpreted as a perversion of our nations symbol. Conveyed through a Muslim/immigrant who is wearing our flag in an unorthodox manner which could be interpreted as disrespectful. A comment on the either the lack of respect or understanding immigrants have regarding our flag (which represents our culture etc) and hence our culture and way of life - criticising the ideals that are required for the function of multicultural society.

The image is fairly simple so I would focus more on the text in this case rather than over analyse the image.

[ech_93]

Thanks for that!
We actually weren't given an article with this. Just the image to analyse... Thats why I was having a bit of trouble

[ech_93]

For the above image... what would the audience be?

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