I have posed several questions to myself regarding my painting ‘Young and Free’. Today I will answer this one:

Why is this painting called ‘Young and Free’ and how does that fit with the phrase’s cultural meaning?

‘For we are young and free’ was the second line of Australia’s National Anthem, before it was changed to ‘For we are one and free’ in 2021.

"… while Australia as a modern nation may be relatively young, our country’s story is ancient, as are the stories of the many First Nations peoples whose stewardship we rightly acknowledge and respect.” - Scott Morrison, Prime Minister, 2021. Source: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43190

This painting is an observation of (one form of) Australian masculinity. I emphasise ‘observation’ as I want to make it very clear that I only experience this masculinity from the outside as this painting might not be an ‘accurate’ representation of what some (many?) Australian males feel and experience. It is what I see and have experienced. My reflection in the gold will emphasise the ‘observation’ hopefully, but more on the gold and reflection another day.

The words ‘Young and Free’ in the context of this painting make me think of entitlement, ambition, carelessness, a sense of power felt within this male, perhaps a disregard for others and the denial of mortality. Perhaps this painting makes this ‘man’ immortal in that it is a painting that will last beyond our death? Or because gold and diamonds are ‘immortal’? This is a train of thought for another day.

By disregarding the new lyrics (‘one and free’) and using the old ones is another emphasis of a disregard of others or the social norm (the new lyrics) (?) I don’t want this painting or title to be seen as a disregard to First Nations Australians because it is not about that at all. If you think it could be interpreted that way, please let me know.