Artists who critique Australian History
Fiona Foley
Fiona Foley is an Aboriginal artist from K'gari whose artwork make cutting comments on the process of settlement. The photos above are from an exhibition called Horror has a Face - the breast plate in the middle is a cuttingly ironic comment ofn the 'dog tags' used to control Aboriginal movements during the 'protection' era. The I especially like the sequence called The Oyster fishermen (below) which moves slowly from a White telling of history (jovial men working hard and enjoying a pint) to an indigenous view (murderers) and her installations/sculptures around the opium that was fed to Aboriginal workers to keep them under control (something I din't know about till she raised my awareness).
You can read more about her work at:
- https://nga.gov.au/defyingempire/artists.cfm?artistirn=15417
- https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/jan/07/fiona-foleys-art-of-the-uncomfortable-i-wanted-to-provoke-a-conversation-about-racism
- https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/artist-fiona-foley-explores-how-opium-was-used-to-control-aboriginal-labour-20191230-p53niv.html
- https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/artist-fiona-foley-puts-history-in-a-different-context-20191115-p53b23
- https://www.uapcompany.com/studio/brisbane-magistrates-court
- https://aestheticamagazine.com/fiona-foley/
- https://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/exhibition/no-shades-of-white/wjtoe
- https://memoreview.net/blog/fiona-foley-at-ballarat-foto-biennale-by-maddee-clark
Bern Emmerichs
Maunsellwicks traine as a painter but mostly paints on ceramics, including plates and tiles. Her work, which is collected around the world, depicts early Australian history, drawing attention to the invasion of Australia, the experiences of migrants and traumatic historical moments. Her art is heavily researched and often includes real names, places and events, and references to early Australian artworks. The irony of the word "Sorry" made out of soldiers really made me ashamed to be a white Australian whose family history in Australia dates back to the early settlers.
https://maunsellwickes.com/artists/bern-emmerichs/
https://www.lalorshopping.com.au/about-lalor/lalor-artwork-murals/
https://maunsellwickes.com/artists/bern-emmerichs/
https://www.lalorshopping.com.au/about-lalor/lalor-artwork-murals/
A Convict quilt
A quilt made on a convict ship with a fascinating construction history! https://nga.gov.au/rajahquilt/
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Changi Quilt
The Changi quilts were created by Australian and English prisoners of war who were held by the Japanese in Singapore's Changi Prison camp. the squares were created by women as a way to communicate with their loved ones who were being held separately in the men's camp. The images referenced home (the thistles below) family (the names on the books behind the knitting man) or coded victory (the third image below is of famous English naval captain, Drake, playing bowls before he left to defeat the Spanish Armada). The last image shows Changi prision from behind bars. the bottom middle piece includes all the signatures of people who were kind to the maker.
You can read more about this at:
You can read more about this at: