In July we welcome Darren Blackman’s voice into our gallery program. Darren is a proud Gureng Gureng/Gangalu man from Queensland’s central coast with maternal South Sea Island heritage from Vanuatu. Darren has undertaken a wide-ranging cultural practice incorporating printmaking, ceramics, improv performance, music, and painting. More recently he has become well-known for his text works.
His first solo show at Onespace, brings together paintings, screenprints and textiles (boxer’s robes) that address contemporary issues for First Nations peoples. Blackman’s language constantly unpacks the asserted legitimacy of government policy and assuredness of corporate behaviour. In this, the year of the Voice referendum, his work carries quiet but powerful messages.
Image: “Darren Blackman, Fight The Power (detail), 2023. Photo: Ketakii Jewson-Brown. Model: Jarwin Blackman, Gureng Gureng, Wakka Wakka First Nations. Courtesy the Artist and Onespace
