The National Gallery of Australia has announced the 30 Indigenous artists participating in an exhibition that will mark the ongoing resistance, resilience and defiance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial surveys contemporary art by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in the year that marks the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum granting Indigenous peoples the right to be counted as Australian for the first time.
"At the 50th anniversary of this watershed moment in Australian history, it is important to showcase the significance of Indigenous art in defining our national cultural identity," gallery director Gerard Vaughan said.
"The creation of a strong school of contemporary Indigenous practice has played a crucial role — nationally and internationally — in recognising the power and relevance of Indigenous visual culture."
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.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art curator Tina Baum said, "This exhibition reflects the strength, creativity, diversity and pride of contemporary Indigenous artists, highlighting the historical and ongoing activism by Indigenous people to gain equality in this country."
Defying Empire follows on from the success of the National Indigenous Art Triennials of Culture Warriors and unDisclosed.
Participating artists: 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.
Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial, from May 26 until September 10, 2017. Free.
