Bundjalung man and Medal of the Order of Australia recipient Djon Mundine will be a central figure at the upcoming Cementa Festival in Kandos, NSW.
His exhibition, 'Always Was, Always Will Be', will see him cover himself in red paint and imprint his body on the town's Aboriginal centre, drawing inspiration from ancient Indigenous footprints to symbolise a lasting connection to the land and its people.
Mr Mundine reflected on the historical significance of his work.
"Indigenous people have been leaving handprints and footprints all over," he said.
"We left those marks long before the British arrived."
His performance is more than an artistic expression; it's a poignant reminder of the history embedded in the land.
"I wanted to leave my mark, my body print as a remembrance that this is Aboriginal land and all the people that were murdered in the taking of it," he said.
The Cementa Festival, running from 19-22 September 2024, will transform the post-industrial town of Kandos on Wiradjuri Country with diverse art forms, including video, performance, installation, and sculpture.
This biennale event, now in its sixth iteration, is curated by Dr Daniel Mudie Cunningham and Iningai and Kalkadoon curator Jo Albany, and is known for its eclectic and immersive art experiences designed to challenge, inspire, and provoke conversation.
This year's festival places a strong emphasis on performance art, with pieces that celebrate Country, community, and connection.
The artists, including Mundine, Linda Jackson, Gabrielle Bates, Georgia Banks, and Cherine Fahd, have all spent time in Kandos on residency, ensuring their works resonate with the town's unique history, culture, and environment.
Festival Director Alex Wisser highlights the festival's unusual setting—a contemporary arts event in a former cement town—and the deep engagement between the artworks and the local community.
The festival not only attracts thousands of visitors to the region but also provides a platform for local emerging artists to showcase their work.
Mr Mundine's work aims to provoke deep reflection in its audience.
"You've got to make something that's really in-your-face to remind people that all these massacres took place," he said.
"And that's why I want people to ponder on that."
By confronting the audience with the reality of history, he hopes to inspire change.
"People can feel guilty or not, but it might move them to think, 'how do we change all of this?"
"I try to do things that can be very immediate - so I thought I'd paint myself and slam myself on the wall."
Registration is available now via the Cementa website.
