Lili Montefiore Cuppa and Catch Up with Arthur, 2024

“I met Arthur when I was a little kid. His daughter Makka and I went to school together where her mum, Peta, was teaching us about The Dreaming, and when we became friends, our families formed a close bond. My parents would spend many an arvo in deep conversation with Peta and Arthur as us kids played.

Arthur is a proud Awabakal man with a soft but strong voice, and a deep knowledge of this land, a loving partner and father. I’ve captured Arthur as he listens respectfully to Mum and Peta talking about the referendum and grandkids, dropping pearls of wisdom here and there, cuppa in hand. In this catch-up, I am understanding more of the yarn than I did as a kid, and I feel grown up. As they leave, they yell back, “love ya Bub,” as though nothing has changed.”