Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia
Media Kit
Contact
For general enquiries, please contact
- Jessica Barnes
Senior Communications & Content Officer, Touring
T: +61 2 6240 6431 - E: media@nga.gov.au
'“Ever present” is a very powerful statement. It reminds me that my culture has been here for countless generations, and I am not going anywhere. I am a result of my ancestors who walked before me and I am a vessel that will continue to teach the generations to come so that our culture, our people will be forever present.’
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia surveys historical and contemporary works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia. Drawn from the national collection and Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, the works included in this exhibition bridge time and place and are interconnected through story and experience.
Although Ever Present is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, it does not shy away from Australia’s complex histories. The works challenge stereotypes about First Nations people and what defines their art. The artists contest populist views of Australian history, using art as a tool of resistance and replacing physical weaponry with wit, satire and juxtaposition to confront viewers and to encourage conversations that are essential to dispute outdated myths and ideologies.
Ever Present includes the work of over 170 artists as it considers seven overarching and interlinked themes: Ancestors + Creators; Country + Constellations; Community + Family; Culture + Ceremony; Trade + Influence; Resistance + Colonisation; and Innovation + Identity.
Together the works underline the ever-present existence of the First Peoples of Australia.
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition supported by Wesfarmers Arts.
DOWNLOAD IMAGES
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Various works, installation view, Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia, National Gallery Singapore, 2022. Photo by: Joseph Nair, Memphis West Pictures
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Various works, installation view, Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia, National Gallery Singapore, 2022. Photo by: Joseph Nair, Memphis West Pictures
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Various works, installation view, Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia, National Gallery Singapore, 2022. Photo by: Joseph Nair, Memphis West Pictures
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Richard Bell, Kamilaroi/Kooma/Jiman/Goreng Goreng peoples, Embassy, 2013—ongoing, collection of the artist, courtesy of the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane. Photo by: Joseph Nair, Memphis West Pictures
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Jonathan Jones, Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi peoples, Dr Uncle Stan Grant Snr AM, Wiradjuri people, collaborator, Beatrice Murray, Wiradjuri people, collaborator, untitled (walam-wunga.galang), (detail) 2020–21, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased with the assistance of Wesfarmers, © Jonathan Jones. Photo by: Joseph Nair, Memphis West Pictures
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National Gallery Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, Tina Baum, Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples pictured with Jonathan Jones, Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi peoples, Dr Uncle Stan Grant Snr AM, Wiradjuri people, collaborator, Beatrice Murray, Wiradjuri people, collaborator, untitled (walam-wunga.galang), 2020–21, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased with the assistance of Wesfarmers, © Jonathan Jones
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National Gallery of Australia’s Assistant Director, First Nations Engagement Bruce Johnson-McLean, Wierdi | Birri Gubba people, pictured with Jonathan Jones, Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi peoples, Dr Uncle Stan Grant Snr AM, Wiradjuri people, collaborator, Beatrice Murray, Wiradjuri people, collaborator, untitled (walam-wunga.galang), 2020–21, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased with the assistance of Wesfarmers, © Jonathan Jones
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Albert Namatjira, Quarta Tooma – Ormiston Gorge, 1939, The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, Boorloo/Perth, © Albert Namatjira/Copyright Agency, 2022.
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Julie Dowling, Badimaya people, Self-portrait: in our country 2002, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2002 © Julie Dowling/Copyright Agency, 2022
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Daniel Boyd, Kudjla/Gangalu/Kuku Yalanji/Jagara/Wangerriburra/Bandjalung peoples, Treasure Island, 2005, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2006.
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Tony Albert, Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples, ASH on Me, 2008, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2009, © the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf, Gadigal Nura/Sydney
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Daniel Walbidi, Mangala/Yulparija peoples, Winpa 2011, synthetic polymer paint on linen, the Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, Boorloo/Perth, © Daniel Walbidi/Copyright Agency, 2022
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Judy Watson, Waanyi people, stake, 2010, The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, Boorloo/Perth, © Judy Watson/Copyright Agency, 2022
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Mabel Juli, Gija people, Wardal and Garnkeny, 2011, The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, Boorloo/Perth, © Mabel Juli/Copyright Agency, 2021.
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Richard Bell, Kamilaroi/Kooma/Jiman/Gurang Gurang peoples, Omega (Bell’s Theorem), 2013, The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, Boorloo/Perth.
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Lola Greeno, Pakana Peoples, Blue Ceremonial King Maireener necklace, 2016, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2020, © Lola Greeno
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Tjungkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin, Pitjantjatjara people, Seven Sisters 2018, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2020, © Tjunkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin/Copyright Agency, 2022
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