Developed in partnership with The Torch, Heide Museum of Modern Art unveiled a new major exhibition over the weekend.
'Blak In-Justice: Incarceration and Resilience' calls attention to the ongoing issue of Indigenous incarceration in Australia through a compelling selection of artworks by leading First Nations artists alongside participants of The Torch program.
The Torch provides art, cultural, and arts industry support to First Nations people who are currently incarcerated or have recently been released from prisons in Victoria.
Curated by Kent Morris, Barkindji artist, curator and creative director of The Torch, Blak In-Justice presents works by acclaimed First Nations artists on the overrepresentation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system as well as the crisis of deaths in custody. Their powerful responses are shown alongside the remarkable creative achievements of former and current prison inmates, many of whom have connected with their culture and Country through The Torch program.
Generating powerful political commentary, the exhibition includes work by the internationally renowned artist Gordon Bennett, whose visceral triptych Bloodlines confronts colonial violence; provocative and darkly comic photographs by the trailblazing Kuku and Erub/Mer artist Destiny Deacon; Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman, and Gurang Gurang artist and activist Richard Bell's painting Walk On (Bell's Theorem) that reworks words from the Old Testament to engage with the complex history of race relations in Australia; the major painting Brush with the Lore by Ngarrindjeri artist Trevor Nickolls, offering sharp social commentary on contemporary Aboriginal life; and emotive portraits by Badimaya artist Julie Dowling that draw from a range of artistic traditions, including icon painting and Renaissance portraiture, to individualise and elevate real-life stories about the incarceration of First Nations people.
A selection of works in diverse media by Walmajarri man and artist Jimmy Pike showcase stories of his Country. Pike's unique style was developed while he served time in Fremantle Prison, before rising to prominence as one of Australia's most significant national and international artists. Never before seen garments from his early Desert Designs range are also included in the exhibition.
From The Torch program, Palawa artist Thelma Beeton and Taungurung/Boonwurrung artist Stacey Edwards reflect on their shared and deeply supportive journey through prison and beyond; and Sean Miller explores his Gamilaroi heritage through a selection of his ceramic works, echoing the traditions of his ancestors who shaped and carved the ground and trees for ceremony.
An installation of six carved wooden pelicans by Daniel Church titled Pelican Mudjin (Family), represents the connections between all Aboriginal peoples from the south-east coast, and his own Darug family.
Kent Morris expressed how the exhibition strives to be as educational as it is engaging.
"A First Nations-developed and led project, the exhibition not only raises awareness of the mass incarceration of First Nations people but shines a light on what is being achieved to break the cycle of Indigenous imprisonment. The idea to present this exhibition in partnership with a major public museum has been formulating for many years and I greatly appreciate the support and enthusiasm from the Heide team for the project," he said.
"By sharing the stories of those who have experienced incarceration and how connection to art and culture has provided trailblazing pathways to healing and self-determination, we hope that visitors to the exhibition become a part of the solution to this ongoing issue."
List of participating artists include: Vernon Ah Kee; Tony Albert; Richard Bell; Gordon Bennett; Mia Boe; Trevor "Turbo" Brown; Ronald Bull; Robert Campbell Junior; Uncle Jack Charles; Destiny Deacon; Karla Dickens; Julie Dowling; Kevin Gilbert; Les Griggs; Ricky Maynard; Albert Namatjira; Trevor Nickolls; Jimmy Pike; Reko Rennie; Spinifex Gum feat. Briggs and Marliya; Gordon Syron; Judy Watson; Anwar Young; Unrupa Rhonda Dick; and Frank Young.
Artists from The Torch program include: Angus Abdullah; Christopher Austin; Thelma Beeton; Melissa Bell; Felicity Chafer Smith; Daniel Church; Sonia Sadler; Stacey Edwards; C.Harrison; Jeffrey Jackson; Kim Kennedy; Thomas "Marksey" Marks; Sean Miller; S.Morrison; Keith Ritchie; Robby Wirramanda; and Raymond Young.
This exhibition is supported by Principal Partners, the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, and the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
The exhibition is on show until the 20th of July 2025.
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