TREVOR AVEDISSIAN

For eight years a group of women from the Northern Rivers of NSW have turned their fears for the environment and the future of their children and grandchildren, into passionate, radical action.

 

The ritual of gathering in circle on the ground, sharing their pain and insights, then courageously stripping bare to be portraits of their concern, has attracted as many as 90 women.

 

The women age from 19 to 75, signifying the extent of concern about the Earth over the generations. Themes of water purity, the dangers of coal mining, aerial spraying, protection of the Great Barrier Reef and a restoration of respect for the bond between Mother and Child, have all been creatively highlighted in these 'Raw Actions.'

 

"We not only paint the messages on our skin," says organiser of the Raw Actions, Iris Ray Nunn, "we focus on the message intently during the shoot, to embody the strength of the words when the image is captured. And it shows. The message comes out through our eyes, hands, heart and skin."

 

Iris was inspired strongly to do this human art work for the greater good after participating in an anti-war action in 2003. At that time, one of her role models, Australian singer, Grace Knight, (Eurogliders) called out to women in the area to spell out the words 'No War' with their beautiful, naked bodies, in protest of Australia's involvement in invading Iraq. The action drew world attention.

 

The local 'Raw Actions' have gone viral on the internet, being shared thousands of times. One of the images is being used for the campaign to stop coal mining in the Galilee Basin, Qld, another used to alert North Americans to genetically modified crops.

 

Hillbrook Media photographer and film maker, Trevor Avedissian, is currently turning the material into a soon to be released uplifting and inspirational short doco.