As part of the Art Collection’s 50th anniversary celebrations a unique project has been created which invites members of Murdoch University’s extensive community to reflect on an artwork of their choice from the Art Collection. “50 Artwork Stories” is a community writing project which celebrates the history, vibrancy and depth of Murdoch University Art Collection through the lens of 50 selected artworks. The 50 authors will submit compositions reflecting on an artwork from their own unique perspective. To launch this series, we feature an artwork reflection by Oakley Hands, who is a Murdoch alumnus working in the University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team…

Oakley Hands reflects on “Family Portrait” by Amos Gebhardt

Gebhardt’s photograph titled “Family Portrait” reanimates the idea that the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb, a concept that resonates deeply within the queer community. Initially, I was drawn to this artwork not by its complex thematic underpinnings, but by the ethereal hot mess it presents at first glance and, admittedly, that irresistible pile of Turkish delight. Over time, my appreciation for this artwork grew—not just for its aesthetic beauty, but for the comforting message it carries. 

To me, the photograph showcases the unconditional love that exists within the organic bonds of found families. It does this not by getting bogged down in the metonymy of covenant blood and womb water, but by embodying examples of love and support in such a clear and undeniable visual display. Unconditional love in any dynamic loses its authenticity when there are hidden conditions that are not met—a careful navigation many queer people must make in their own families and relationships. 

We often see families and their portraits as homogeneous units, where individuals are defined by their inherited family. Gebhardt, however, presents a family of individuals bringing their whole selves to the frame, creating a family that is defined by its members, not the other way around. There is no rigid structure, dress code, or other condition that needs to be met for the sake of creating a cohesively branded family. The unconditional love and support between these people are not left to our optimism to assume; it’s unmistakably shown to us through each person’s pose. 

We get to see a family that seems to exist outside conventional time and space, where every person is enjoying their own temporal and spatial freedom. In reality, you face unpredictable challenges when living in a space or time that cannot promise you your safety, rights, or identity. Even once you find your community, it continues to flex and bow, forcing you to learn to navigate change and understand that just because something is impermanent does not make it any less important. Just as traditional family portraits serve to create a semblance of permanence and legacy, Gebhardt’s artwork reminds us that lasting belonging can be found within societal margins. 

I love that this artwork lives on our campus, and I hope it inspires others to make their classes, communities, teams, and families a space where everyone has room to bring their full selves. 

Throughout 2025 additional Artwork Stories will be contributed to this project. Further author reflections can be found here.