The result from the Voice referendum gave hard evidence to a largely suspected truth: we inhabit an unreconciled nation, wary of venturing into the uncharted territory of change. These recent weeks have been a challenging period for many, particularly for our First Nations Australians. With more questions than answers, there’s a prevailing sense of uncertainty in the air. The task ahead remains unfinished, and the dust shows no sign of settling. After a week of silence, what do we do next?
As a contemporary commercial art gallery, we take great pride in showcasing a significant body of work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. It’s a privilege for us to present and support their art practices and valuable ideas. In times like these, we draw strength and inspiration from the invaluable voices of these artists and their remarkable resilience.
Nothing Settled, a group exhibition featuring framed prints by First Nations artists, is our next small first step. It emerges as a response to an opportunity that slipped through our fingers. It serves as an affirmation to the enduring practices of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, who persist, despite it all, in sharing their personal and culturally rich narratives.
Nothing Settled draws inspiration from an artwork of the same name presented at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2023 by proud Gureng Gureng, Gangulu and South Sea Islander man Darren Blackman. In early July, Onespace welcomed Blackman’s voice into our gallery program with his solo show Language of Intent. With determined focus, Blackman unpacks the asserted legitimacy of government policy and the assuredness of corporate behaviour. His bold text paintings convey a clear message: things are far from over.
Onespace will continue to amplify the voices of our artists. This exhibition showcases works by Darren Blackman, Elisa Jane Carmichael, Sonja Carmichael, Tamika Grant-Iramu, Matilda Nona, Brian Robinson, and Teho Ropeyarn.
Image: Darren Blackman, Nothing Settled, 2023. Image: Michael Marzik. Courtesy of the artist and Onespace.
