Naval Novella demystifies the Navy breaking down some of the barriers that exist between Defence personnel and civilians. The film shows the human side of the Royal Australian Navy uniquely allowing people to access a closed culture in an inviting way. The work is anchored by the naval tradition of tattoos and gruelling physical training done with ‘the rope’, a symbol of union, mateship and stability. 

Sylvia Schwenk, Navel Novella, 2013, digital video, audio, 10:25 min. Courtesy the Artist and Artereal Gallery, Sydney