Atong Atem is a Dinka Bor South Sudanese-Australian artist living and working in Naarm/Melbourne. She studied painting at Sydney University’s College of the Arts before continuing her undergraduate studies at RMIT. Her work explores the history of photography, the shadows of colonialism and the practices, rituals and mythology of the Dinka People of South Sudan.
Her work is primarily an examination of familial archives, colonial documentation, and portraiture as world building. Atong’s work exists in response to the politics of displacement, science fiction as prophecy and, as an acknowledgment of the legacy of studio photography as cultural practice.
Amid her multidisciplinary practice, Atem still finds time to experience all that’s great about Melbourne’s dining scene. Here she is now with where to find a great eggplant curry north of the river, and why the cinnamon scrolls are better at Simply Mike’s.
My local is Nina’s Bar & Dining for dinner and a $10 mini cocktail. Their kangaroo skewers alone are worth the trip. Osoi for a morning coffee and Beautiful Jim Key for a hearty, delicious breakfast.
I know I’m in Melbourne when I can roll the dice on a coffee. Very rarely have I had a bad coffee here.
In the mornings you’ll find me sleeping if I can, otherwise on the steps of Osoi cafe.
My defining food moment in Melbourne was the first time I had dinner at Flower Drum and realised that some places are absolutely worth the hype (duh!).
When I want to show the city off to friends from out of town, I like to take them to Footscray. Footscray Market, Queen of Sheba, and Busog in West Footscray are highlights.
My favourite places to stock up on supplies are Terra Madre and Brunswick IGA.
The best new thing I’ve found is Simply Mike’s. They might actually have the best cinnamon scrolls in town.
When I want to go all out on a special meal… Kolkata Cricket Club will never disappoint, especially with a group. For date night, it’s one of everything at Oriental Teahouse Brunswick.
There’s no better value in Melbourne than Good Days Hot Bread. The chicken and rice combo is excellent. Otherwise, I head to Nasi Kandar Penang Brunswick for the best Malaysian food in the neighbourhood. Very affordable and always delicious. The eggplant curry is especially good.
If I could change one thing about eating and drinking here, it would be opening hours.
But the one thing I hope never changes in Melbourne is the breadth of world class international cuisines. I’m glad I can travel the world within a few kilometres’ radius of my home.
Find out more about Atong Atem at atongatem.com, and follow along for more via @atongatem. See works from Atem and other great artists via Mars Gallery’s Instagram feed.