NAISDA Developing Artist Joshua Yow Yeh has been recognised among some of Australia’s First Nations’ creatives, being named a Djuyalgal Scholarship finalist.
Now in its third year, the scholarship program is designed by Facon Magazine to celebrate, sustain and grow Indigenous art and design in New South Wales.
Joshua has been named a finalist in the Film Category for his work DECOL – An unflinching work exploring colonisation through hip-hop.
Yow Yeh, a proud Australian South Sea Islander, Bundjalung and Bayali man said it was important to take a topic like this head on through his art.
“I was hesitant, I wondered if I should upload DECOL because it is really head on,” Yow Yeh said.
“But the scholarship is an Indigenous program so I thought they should look at that and want to be involved with it.”
Josh’s initial entry included DECOL along with a number of other films he made while training and living on NAISDA campus at Kariong on Darkinjung Land.
“The main one that I did was actually my dance film assessment from NAISDA last year,” Yow Yeh said.
“It’s good to use the creations and content that I’ve already made and take them further, taking them beyond what they were original created for.”
As well as being recognised for his filmmaking, Joshua’s work incorporates music and dance.
He believes it has been an opportunity to showcase the multiple disciplines he has been studying at NAISDA.
“NAISDA is a dance college, but we do music composition, we do dance film, physical theatre – there’s a bunch of different things that we learn and train in,” said Yow Yeh.
“I’ve always done music and film but coming here has opened my mind and my creativity, and allowed me to pursue them more.”
As part of the Scholarship Program, Joshua will take part in a mentoring session from 2023 Scholarship recipient Jahvis Loveday, and guidance from Murrook Cultural Centre on Worimi Land, along with access to the use of their facilities.