Week 8

Urban Aboriginal Art

This week we looked at urban Aboriginal Artists, who see themselves as being squarely in the mainstream of contemporary Australian art and refuse to be differentiated or marginalized into a separate category. These artists use a wide variety of media and modes of expression, ranging from painting, prints, pottery, photography, digital works and installations. These artists battle against the stereotyping of Aboriginal Art and is often criticized for being not ‘authentic’ enough, because of their non-traditional techniques.

Some urban Aboriginal Artists to note:

·       Gordon Bennett

·       Judy Watson

·       Tracey Moffatt

·       Fiona Foley

·       Richard Bell

·       Sally Morgan

·       Trevor Nickolls

·       Albert Namatjira

·       Mickey of UllaDulla

·       William Barak

·       Tommy McRae

·       And the previously mentioned Lin Onus

A stand out artisst for me from this group is Trevor Nickolls. His drawings and paintings reflect his personal experience as an aborignal man from remotes South Australia, and his relationship to land, place and history. Using bright colours and a relaxed technique, his work mirrors his passionate search for the meaning of life and its struggles and joys. Nickolls depicts a wide range of perception, translating greedm humour and political issues to a visual surface with pure energy.

Trevor Nickolls, Mother Earth and Father Space stealing a kiss during the war against humanity, 2004 (Synthetic polymer paint on canvas)