Jessie Boylan is a photomedia artist based in Castlemaine, Victoria. She explores issues relating to human impacts on the land and communities in relation to environmental and social devastation – like nuclear testing, mining and war. She is a member of the Atomic Photographers Guild, an international group who aim to render visible all aspects of the nuclear age and is a key artist in Nuclear Futures, an Australia Council-funded community arts project, which is exploring the legacy of the nuclear age through creative arts. Jessie is a lecturer in Photography at La Trobe University in Bendigo, Australia.
Oympic Dam uranium & copper mine, South Australia, 2011Oympic Dam uranium & copper mine, South Australia, 2011Oympic Dam uranium & copper mine, South Australia, 2011Oympic Dam uranium & copper mine, South Australia, 2011Oympic Dam uranium & copper mine, South Australia, 2011Avon Hudson, Woomera, South Australia, 2006 - Avon is a veteran from the Maralinga atomic tests from 1956-1963 in South Australia. He became a whistleblower and exposed the project on live television. The army personnel were never told of the dangers of radiation, and there have been ongoing intergenerational health effects such as cancer and other health defects throughout families of the veterans. The Australian government still hasn't taken responsibility for the impact of the tests.Billy Jean, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 2006Bindi and Billy, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 2006 - Bindi and Billy are Traditional Owners for Muckaty Station, 120km north of Tennant Creek, which is the proposed nuclear waste dump site in the Northern Territory. In 2006 Bindi was taken on a trip to Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney to examine the waste that might be coming to his country. Until he arrived at Lucas Heights, he thought he was being asked about hosting an ordinary rubbish dump.Eileen Wingfield, Pt. Augusta, South Australia, 2006 - Eileen, a Kokotha woman and Goldman Environmental Prize winner, was part of the Irati Wanti (the poison, leave it) campaign from 2000 – 2005, that stopped the dumping of nuclear waste in Woomera, South Australia. She has also been fighting to stop Olympic Dam uranium mine which operates on Kokotha land.Jenny Lewis, Pt. Pirie, South Australia, 2006 - Between 1955 and 1962 uranium from Radium Hill was processed at the Port Pirie Uranium Treatment Complex, which left behind 200, 000 tonnes of solid tailings. Jenny was a prominent member of the local campaign group that succeeded in getting the tailings fenced off, as for a number of years children were using it as a playground. Between 1989 -1990 the group’s actions led to a partial clean up of the 26 hectares of contaminated soil. Jenny is keeping vigilant to stop any further development of the site.Kath Martin, Mt. Everard, Northern Territory, Australia, 2006 - Kath, Traditional Owner and Athenge Lhere woman worked tirelessly to oppose the Commonwealth radioactive waste dump which was proposed for Mt Everard, just 13km from her home. Mt. Everard has a sacred Arrernte site within the boundaries. The site has since been excluded from the site selection process.Kevin Buzzacott, Alberrie Ck, South Australia, 2006 - Kevin, an Arabunna elder from the Lake Eyre region, has been fighting against Olympic Dam Uranium Mine in Roxby Downs South Australia since it began operations in 1986. The mound spring areas, which are dotted all across Arabunna land, are threatened due Olympic Dam using up 30-40 million litres of water each day from the Great Artesian Basin.Marlene Bennett and grandson Lance, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 2006 - Marlene has strong family links to Muckaty Station, the site proposed for the Commonwealth radioactive waste facility. Muckaty lies 760km south of Darwin. Marlene and her family are strongly opposed to the waste dump proposal and feel there has been a process of secrecy and bullying throughout the process. Lance said he wants the Prime Minister to put the nuclear waste dump in his own back yard if it’s so safe.Mitch, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 2006 - When the northern Territory nuclear waste dump was first proposed, Mitch and her daughters Billy Jean and Nicki established a colourful protest vigil on the turnoff to the Tanami Highway. Mitch spoke up for her family opposing the then proposed Harts Range site. The site is now off the list, however, Mitch continues to speak up strongly about nuclear and indigenous issues.Nikki, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 2006Yami Lester, Walatinna Station, South Australia, 2006 - In 1953, Yami, a Yankunytjatjara man, was ten years old, living at Wallatinna Station when Totem One went off, it was part of a series of atmospheric atomic bombs that the British and Australian governments were testing during the 50’s and 60’s at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia and the Monte Bello Islands off the West Australian coast. He was blinded not long after the fallout.Maralinga VillageMaralinga Tennis courtMaralinga TaranakiMaralinga SwimmingpoolMaralinga RadioactiveMaralinga ChairMaralinga CautionMaralinga BreakawayMaralinga BilliardsMaralinga 5ways
Jessie Boylan is a photomedia artist based in Castlemaine, Victoria. She explores issues relating to human impacts on the land and communities in relation to environmental and social devastation – like nuclear testing, mining and war. She is a member of the Atomic Photographers Guild, an international group who aim to render visible all aspects of the nuclear age and is a key artist in Nuclear Futures, an Australia Council-funded community arts project, which is exploring the legacy of the nuclear age through creative arts. Jessie is a lecturer in Photography at La Trobe University in Bendigo, Australia.
