My creative practice takes place on the lands of the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri Woiwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present, their ancestors and families, acknowledging their deep and ongoing spiritual connection to Country. I extend my respects to Wathaurong Waddawurrung peoples, whose lands I was birthed and raised upon that have deeply shaped me and my experiences.

I acknowledge Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri custodianship of the lands, waterways and skies that I continue to live, work and benefit from, recognising that sovereignty was never ceded. I come with an intention to deepen my understanding of ancestral pathways as a diasporic being, while sharing, learning and creating on unceded lands (Melbourne, Australia).

I extend this acknowledgement and pay my respects to peer African and Indigenous peoples across the globe viewing this website.

And so the mood was quite intense

Sound installation with analogue radio and fabricated seating, duration 14:22 mins.

A conversation between Roberta Joy Rich and Peter Abrahams, who shares his memories of being present at the 'Purple Rain' protest on September 2nd, 1989.

And so the mood was quite intense was exhibited in The Purple Shall Govern solo exhibitions at Footscray Community Arts in 2022 and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts in 2023.

Video documentation by Jody Haines.

Seen from above in near-darkness, a vintage Sharp radio–cassette player sits mounted on a small stand, its FM/AM tuning dial and equaliser sliders are bathed in dim purple light. Two audio cables plug into the top, and streaks of pink light fall across the dark wooden floor around it.
In a gallery washed in bright magenta light, two white curved benches face a corner where a small vintage radio boombox sits low against the wall, cables trailing across the dark reflective floor. Diagonal slashes of brighter pink light cut across the white walls also bathed in magenta light.
Overhead view of a vintage radio boombox on a dark wooden floor, lit by a hazy pool of pink-purple light. Its tuning dial and cassette controls are just visible in the gloom, with a headphone cable coiled over the top and a power cord running away into the dark.

Roberta Joy Rich, And so the mood was quite intense, Footscray Community Arts, 2022. Photo's by Jody Haines.

A black Philips "Turbo Bass" radio boombox with twin cassette decks and an extended aerial sits on the floor of a violet-lit gallery, headphone cable plugged in and draped over it. Behind it, a pair of black headphones rests on top of a white plinth- also bathed in purple light- and headphone cord hanging down it's side.

Roberta Joy Rich, And so the mood was quite intense, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2023. Photo by Dan McCabe.