Abe Dunovits
“The land here is extensive, expansive and commanding, like in Argentina”
Abe Dunovits
Country of Origin: Argentina
Occupation: Artist, performer and teacher
Year of arrival to Australia: 1989
State of residency: Victoria
Favourite place in Australia: Wherever I am
Upon arrival: Surprised by the red earth
Edited by Zoe Gleeson. Socials by Juan Camilo.
Abe Dunovits, a 2022 finalist in the Australian Training Awards in the field of Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy teaching, is recognised as a highly respected teacher and leader by both the Australian Department of Training and his students. As a multidisciplinary artist Abe has produced recordings and collaborated with other artists, created artwork with cheap or recycled materials, published prose and poetry. Abe is a committed community member interweaving his art practice and his culture with his teaching.
TELL US YOUR STORY
I moved to Australia from Spain in 1989, when I was 17, with my parents. We had been living in Spain for some years, after leaving Argentina in the early 80’s, escaping a crumbling economy and uncertain future. We lived in Madrid illegally for some time by over-staying our tourist visas. My sister had migrated to Perth (also from Spain) in the mid 80’s with her then Peruvian husband. Considering our situation as temporary residents towards the end of the 80’s, we decided it was best for the family to migrate for a fres start in a new land of opportunity. With my sister’s help, we got our Australian visas under a Family Reunion Scheme in 1988, but due to my father having to have an operation, we had to wait for another year to travel.
My parents had never spoken English before. I had studied it in high-school, and it was my best subject. Being a young musician, the first thing I did when I arrived in Perth was to look in the classifieds for people to play music with. I also needed money to live. My first job in Australia was cleaning. That was a good way to learn everyday language and experience a new Anglo-Saxon culture. Through music though, I later found out about the First Nations people of Australia and the racism in this country. I remember meeting an Elder from northern Western Australia at a gig once. We talked and he explained to me about the ways of Tribal Law in his community. Around the same time, playing in a young band, I saw and experienced racism towards others and myself. This made me aware of the ugly side of this country.
After a year of cleaning and trying to be understood with an accent, I decided I needed to learn more English so I could go to university and study a degree. I enrolled in an intensive English language course. Following a year of intensive English, I enrolled in college to do my Year 11 and 12, all in one year, for which I obtained a score to enter university. My score wasn’t high enough the first time around, so I had to do it again. Since I had Spanish as a mother tongue, I thought it would be good to use those skills. This led me to enrol at Edith Cowan University to do a Bachelor’s degree in Languages followed by a Diploma of Education. I became an English and ESL teacher initially due to no schools offering Spanish in Perth at the time.
Through a recommendation by an artist friend, I had the chance to teach initially, English and Art Drama and later Music full time at one of the most disadvantaged high schools in Western Australia. That experience gave me a perspective about belonging and working in a community, with disadvantaged youth and social inequality, as well as teaching First Nations youth. In the early 90’s I had studied art at TAFE and began doing collages. Later I would become a sculptor, using found and recycled materials. Around the same time, towards the mid 90’s while I was at University studying literature, I started going to poetry readings and began experimenting performance art, mixing poetry with music, theatre and activism at PICA bar (Perth Institute of Contemporary Art).
Music has always been a part of me, I started composing when I was 14. When I arrived in Perth, I played with cover bands and later original Indie bands like Rosie’s Kitchen and Spooky. Towards the end of the 90’s, I rediscovered my Latin roots. I was performing as I taught myself to play the Cuban tres guitar and other Latin American string and percussion instruments. I started a Salsa big band as the lead singer in 2002 called Sabroson, that was active for over 10 years. In 2004, I put together Funkalleros to play my compositions, a fusion of Rock, Latin styles, Reggae, Jazz and Blues. In 2011 I put out my first solo album New Cosmick System. I moved to Melbourne in 2012, where I also began playing with a new Funkalleros line up, as well as putting together Los Parceros duo and playing with Amaru Tribe. I have been pursuing a musical solo career on the side too, recording solo albums in Melbourne and playing with different band line ups.
Throughout this time I have also been doing art, participating in group shows as well as putting on my own solo shows in many different galleries, both in Western Australia and Victoria. In 2018 I published my first book of experimental prose and poetry through the A Voz Limpia poetry group.
Challenges
Language - I needed to learn more English so I could go to university. I enrolled in an intensive English language course where I had good teachers. I have been lucky to always have had good teachers. My interest in the English language and music also helped me. I read intensely about literature and music. For example, a book called The Complete Beatles Recordings and another by Edgar Allan Poe.
Cultural shock - I had feelings of displacement and depression, however, I decided to concentrate on creative writing as a therapeutic activity, making art and making music that expressed who I am ideologically but also where I come from physically and culturally.
Identity - I am still finding it hard to fit into this country’s context, given my own background, my history, this country’s history and the current events that are shaping it. To be able to fit in, I try to get involved in community activities to benefit the disadvantaged. The process of sharing what I do also helps me shape and define who I am.
CONTRASTS
People - They are the same everywhere. The good, the bad and the ones in between. The ones you love and the ones you hate. The ones you wished governed and the ones you wish would disappear.
The land - The land here is extensive, expansive and commanding, like in Argentina. Melbourne feels like a European city in some places.
Values - The value we put in material things and the value we put in nature, unfortunately for the mainstream, is the same.
PIECE OF ADVICE
What advice would you give to someone thinking of moving to Australia? Do it, but learn about its history, be aware of it. Be sensitive and respectful towards the land and its First Nations people. Be aware of your surroundings and appreciate your life here.
What advice would you give to inspire someone to be a success story in Australia? Work hard to improve yourself, be kind to yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to express yourself but do it respectfully.
What advice would you give to someone struggling? Hang in there. Karma is real. Do good and good will come to you. Trust in yourself. All things bad must pass.
Abe with his instruments
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Future Abe is still working in Community Education and would like to stay there. He is having a group art show in Western Australia in February, currently working on an experimental poetry performance project with Cape Verdian Mito Elias and Australian Ashley J Higgs to happen at Kindred Studios, recording new music for my renamed solo project Dunobeats, releasing previously recorded guitar music, working on a poetry book release, playing at the National Multicultural Festival in Canberra with my duo Los Parceros. He would like to play more music with my solo project. Generally, he hopes to stay healthy, remain connected with family here and oversead, continue to help others.
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With love and gratitude - Latin Stories Australia team