Australian Design Centre presents ‘Current’, with First Nations artists Gail Mabo, Lisa Waup and Dominic White

Phoebe Blogg Published August 29, 2024 at 1.00pm (AWST)

arts

Lisa Waup, holding Country, 2023, The University of Melbourne Art Collection. (Image: Christian Capurro)

First Nations artists Gail Mabo, Lisa Waup and Dominic White have joined forces for the exhibition 'Current', now touring Australia.

First shown at McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery in Victoria, Current demonstrates the triumph of First Nations truth-telling over Australia's propensity for nationalist myth-making. The exhibition highlights and connects each artist's vital and contemporary multi-disciplinary practices while referencing the passages of water moving along Australia's eastern coast, between the land and people of Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait in the far north to Lutruwita/Tasmania in the south.

Lisa Waup, NELOTS, 2023. (Image: McClelland Gallery).

Artist Lisa Waup. (Image: Courtesy of the artist)

Now in its 60th year of operation, Sydney's Australian Design Centre is thrilled to be hosting the exhibition which ends September 25.

Sydney's Australian Design Centre chief executive officer and artistic director Lisa Cahill said: "It is a great privilege to present this exhibition as part of its national tour. The works of each individual artist are so strong and personal, and together they draw out and emphasise so many themes and connections - honouring the people and culture who have been here since the beginning, while calling out ongoing contemporary issues for First Nations people in Australia."

The East Australian Current sweeps water from the Coral Sea southward over the Great Barrier Reef and continues until, off Lutruwita (Tasmania), it swings east towards the Tasman Sea. It is a passageway off the east coast of Australia through which marine life continuously flows. Mabo, Waup and White are three highly-regarded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists whose practices affirm powerful connections to their respective Country, waters and ancestors.

Gail Mabo, Ma'rap Sau, 2023. (Image: McClelland Gallery).

Mabo, the second daughter of Eddie Koiki and Bonita Mabo, lives and works in Gurrumbilbarra (Townsville) and her cultural identity remains deeply rooted in the customs of Mer (Murray Island) in the Eastern part of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait). Waup was adopted at birth by Italian parents and has links to Gunditjmara and the Torres Strait Islands. White, who is also adopted, is a descendant of the Tyreelore and Trawoolway people of Lutruwita and explores connection to all his history and cultures.

The artistic practices of the three artists have developed within similar coordinates. Each is deeply invested in the power and symbolism of natural materials.

Despite each artist presenting niche pieces of work that speak to their individual talents as a creative, Mabo, Waup and White each have a significant connection to Country, which they artistically convey through the craft and construction of their work.

Artist Dominic White. (Image: Courtesy of the artist)

Current is a national touring exhibition produced by McClelland with assistance from the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program, the Besen Family Foundation and the Gordon Darling Foundation.