This self-portrait is about not feeling Aboriginal enough. I was adopted at three weeks into a non-Indigenous family yet I always had a good understanding of my Indigenous ancestry. In earlier years I knew I ‘was’ but never ‘felt’ Aboriginal. People used to ask me where I was from, thinking I was Italian, Spanish or Greek. I would say, “I’m Aboriginal” and their reply would typically be, “No you’re not” or “I thought you were Spanish or something”. This made me feel that my Aboriginal ancestry was something to be embarrassed about.

Some people ask why my Indigenous ancestry is so important to me. I was raised to be proud of my origins at a time in Queensland when it was customary to be ridiculed for being Aboriginal or dark-skinned. Although I have always known I am Aboriginal, I don’t have a direct connection to that part of my ancestry, therefore I don’t feel a real connection. Yet I think it’s natural to want to learn more about my history.

I am part of Australia’s diverse population and I know my story echoes those of people like myself as well as those of different backgrounds. Aboriginal people are extremely diverse, our country’s history has ensured this—we are who we are. Circumstances from the past have made me who I am today and I’m here to share my story.

To make this image I downloaded a photo from the Internet of a family member from the Aboriginal side of my ancestry. He probably doesn’t even know I exist. I then placed some of his features over an image of myself. This family member has very strong facial features—the lack of which is something I have been questioned about.

People constantly associate my artwork with my Bidjara heritage, though I have never been to Bidjara country and have no connection with the community there. Aboriginal people today comprise many diverse groups and gone are the clichés of how we are supposed to appear. This self-portrait shows a connection to my Indigenous origins, Bidjara country, a place I have never visited yet one with which I am constantly associated.

I believe I belong to a wider community. Humanity.

—Michael Cook

Michael Cook
Identity—Andu (Son) 2015
inkjet print on paper
Courtesy the artist, Andrew Baker Art Dealer, Brisbane and THIS IS NO FANTASY, Melbourne