Nonna Maria

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Australia | Tuesday, November 1, 2011 | 5 photos

My Nonna, Anna Maria Picaro, has lived an extraordinary life.

Leaving her quaint Italian village of Bicarri and close-knit family at age 24, Maria migrated to Australia with husband Mick to create a new life for her family and future generations; my mother and consequently, me. Her story represents the life of many migrants who moved to Australia in the 1960's and the hardships they faced with entering a foreign land. Maria quickly became acquainted with the native wildlife (venomous brown snakes and red-back spiders), taught herself English by reading the daily newspaper, adjusted to the lifestyle of a laid-back culture, and contributed her the community (like most Italian's did) by working the harsh land; growing tobacco, fruit, vegetables, and sugar cane.

Maria has now lived in Australia for 50 years, and 15 years after her husband's passing, she reminisces on the days of her youth. These photos hope to convey her passion for her day-to-day chores (cooking and gardening), but at the same time, reveal her lonely life without her husband and best friend.

It is the simple and humble stories of everyday people that I believe makes photography one of the most interesting professions. These photographs have been taken on my Nonna's farm in the regional farming town of Bundaberg, Queensland. These images aim to show that everyone has a story that is inspirational or courageous. It is this skill of telling these stories through images that I am eager to learn and improve on.

A picture can tell a thousand words. I hope these sentimental photographs move you as they moved my family. I hope you gain an understanding of what it is like to live in a foreign country on your own, and empathise with the hardships many migrants still face when adjusting to a new home.