Gordon Hookey: A MURRIALITY

‘A MURRIALITY’ is the first survey of renowned Waanyi artist Gordon Hookey, charting three decades of practice where artmaking and activism fuse.

Gordon Hookey’s work is best known for its biting satire of Australian culture and politics, its witty critique of racism, and an exploration of oral and image-based history-making traditions. Across sculpture, printmaking, video, and large-scale painting, ‘A MURRIALITY’ presents perspectives on historical and contemporary issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through the lens of Hookey’s lived experience as a Murri person, this includes legal injustices, international conflict, cultural representations, and language.

The exhibition features a significant new commission supported by the UNSW Galleries Commissioners Circle that draw inspiration from Hookey’s vast collection of political posters and continues his acclaimed series of protest banners. Made for use in the public realm at Invasion Day marches and rallies recognising Aboriginal resistance fighter Dundalli, Hookey’s banners provide timely socio-political commentary while also imagining a truly empowered Indigenous future.

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Curated by José Da Silva & Liz Nowell

Developed in partnership with the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane and presented with the support of the Australia Council for the Arts, Gordon Darling Foundation, IMA Commissioners Circle and UNSW Commissioners Circle. A national tour begins in 2023, supported by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.

PUBLICATION EXHIBITION LABELS 

 

 

 

Public Program

In-Conversation: Gordon Hookey & Keith Munro
2pm 1 October 2023 | UNSW Galleries
Learn about the practice of renowned Waanyi artist Gordon Hookey in conversation with Keith Munro, Leader, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Touring Venues

Institute of Modern Art, QLD
22 October – 23 December 2022

Caboolture Regional Gallery, QLD
11 March – 29 April 2023

Harvey Bay Regional Gallery, QLD
9 June – 20 August 2023

Cairns Art Gallery, QLD
16 December 2023 – 18 February 2024

Dr David Harvey-Sutton Gallery, QLD
18 March – 16 July 2024

South East Centre for Contemporary Art, NSW
28 September – 17 November 2024

Plimsoll Gallery/ UTAS, TAS
8 June –  11 August 2025

Banner: Gordon Hookey, Murriland! #1 2015–17, Oil on canvas. Installation view, ‘Gordon Hookey: A MURRIALITY’, UNSW Galleries, 2022. Photography: Jacquie Manning. © Gordon Allan Hookey/Copyright Agency, 2022
Installation Image: Installation view, ‘Gordon Hookey: A MURRIALITY’, UNSW Galleries, 2022. Photography: Jacquie Manning. © Gordon Allan Hookey/Copyright Agency, 2022