Both in his photography work and his forensic expertise, Associate Professor Glenn Porter of UNE Criminology is concerned with revealing the truth.

Associate Professor Glenn Porter

So he was particularly shocked to find he had a secret past.

“There had been secret stories in our family over the last few generations that we had Chinese and Aboriginal descendants, but we had no cultural remnants within our way of life reflecting this background,” Glenn said.

“A genealogy DNA test confirmed the Chinese heritage about three years ago.”

The work is within a social documentary style of working which is a focus I have been moving to. I want my work to be heavily engaged in a humanity viewpoint. I think that is the best use of the medium – telling stories relating to the human element

The find inspired both his travel and photography, which, along with revealing more about his personal history, has earned him a bronze medal in the documentary category in a prestigious black-and-white photography competition.

His project for B&W 2024 – the world’s largest competition dedicated to black and white photography – is titled Year of the Rabbit, and is an autobiographical work from his travels to Southern China, to immerse himself in this side of his personal history.

“The work is within a social documentary style of working which is a focus I have been moving to. I want my work to be heavily engaged in a humanity viewpoint. I think that is the best use of the medium – telling stories relating to the human element,” Glenn said.

While much about his Chinese heritage remains shrouded in mystery – possibly due to the stigma and mistreatment of Chinese immigrants in Australia for many decades – Glenn’s work proudly announces his heritage, and places him in the long-buried narrative. 

“My third great-grandfather immigrated to Australia from Southern China during the mid-nineteenth century gold rush era as a shopkeeper. He married in Australia, but lots remains unknown, including any information about wife.

“The Government’s ‘White Australian Policy’ deliberately discriminated against Australians of Chinese descent and remained in force until 1973.

“This project is named after my Chinese zodiac animal – I was born in the year of the rabbit.”

He hopes to soon discover more.

“I am planning further trips to China in 2024 and 2025 and especially to the city where my great grandfather came from. I am also recording remnants of the Chinese settlement here in the late 19th century. There is lots of evidence remaining especially in the goldfields and around the new England region, like the naming of roads such as ‘Chinamans Gully Road’ at Metz.

“The work will be a photo-essay of my personal journey and immersion into the culture from a photographic artist’s perspective.”

Glenn has a new exhibition booked in a gallery in Shenzhen for 2025.

Click here to view Glenn’s prize-winning work for the B&W2024 awards.