Gaboo Ted Thomas Images 1998

In 1998 I was invited to photograph Yuin elder Guboo Ted Thomas, a man of quiet dignity and wisdom. Those qualities were born of a life well lived; hardworking and with far reaching dreams.  Musician, archaeologist, activist, historian and a revivalist of sorts. Guboo sought to engage with and enrich humanity through The Dreaming. A tree of spiritual significance to his clan was our chosen location. Throughout our photoshoot his quiet repetition of the mantra “the world has lost it’s soul” undulated as both a lament and a challenge. It has remained with me ever since. I later had all the images printed up around thirty-six in total and inserted them into an acid free photographic album. Guboo Ted Thomas as a young man was present at the birth of the renowned Aboriginal writer artist activist storyteller Burnum Burnum. Image three in the gallery of six below was published in a book about the life and times of Burnum Burnum. I handed over the album as my gift to Guboo Ted Thomas at the launch of the Burnum Burnum book titled “A Warrior For Peace Burnum Burnum” by Marlene J Norst at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. Pictured below are the six preserved images I kept for my Andrew Hogarth Publishing archives. 

Gaboo Ted Thomas Surry Hills Sydney New South Wales Australia 1998

Gaboo Ted Thomas Surry Hills Sydney New South Wales Australia 1998

Gaboo Ted Thomas Surry Hills Sydney New South Wales Australia 1998

Gaboo Ted Thomas Surry Hills Sydney New South Wales Australia 1998

Gaboo Ted Thomas Surry Hills Sydney New South Wales Australia 1998

Gaboo Ted Thomas Surry Hills Sydney New South Wales Australia 1998