“We defy: By existing; By determining our identity; By asserting our histories; our culture; our language; By telling our stories, our way; By being one of the oldest continuous living cultures in the world.” – Tina Baum, NGA Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
Bringing together works by 30 contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across the country, Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum that recognised Aboriginal people as Australians for the first time. It highlights the strength and resilience of Australia’s Indigenous people since first contact, through to the historical fight for recognition and ongoing activism in the present day.
TONY ALBERT | BROOK ANDREW | SEBASTIAN ARROW | DANIEL BOYD | MAREE CLARKE| MEGAN COPE | BRENDA L. CROFT | KARLA DICKENS | BLAK DOUGLAS | FIONA FOLEY| JULIE GOUGH | LOLA GREENO | DALE HARDING | SANDRA HILL | JONATHAN JONES | RAY KEN | YVONNE KOOLMATRIE | NONGGIRRNGA MARAWILI | ARCHIE MOORE | LAURIE NONA | RUSTY PETERS | REKO RENNIE | BRIAN ROBINSON | YHONNIE SCARCE| KEN THAIDAY SR | JUDY WATSON | VICKI WEST | JASON WING | PEDRO WONAEAMIRRI | RAYMOND ZADA
Issues of identity, racism, displacement, Country, nuclear testing, sovereignty and the Stolen Generations are explored through many media: from painting on canvas and bark, to weaving and sculpture, and video, prints, photography, metalwork and glasswork.
This major survey exhibition celebrates the continued excellence and diversity of Indigenous practice today.
Exhibition on display at UQ Art Museum, 28th July – 11th November.
Image: Jason Wing, Captain James Crook 2013 . National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Purchased 2013
