Title

Unknown Land: Mapping and imagining Western Australia.

Venues

Art Gallery of Western Australia. (17 September 2016 – 30 January 2017)

Date

(2016 – 2017)

Curator

Harpley, Melissa. (Curator Historical and Modern Art, Art Gallery of Western Australia)

Country of context

Australia

Abstract

The first European explorers and colonists viewed Western Australia and its spectacular coast as an “unknown land”. Of course, it was no such thing – Aboriginal people had owned the land for thousands of years and were quickly in conflict with the imperialists. Whatever their motives – colonist, invader, explorer, settler, adventurer – the Europeans were awestruck by the land we now call Western Australia – and the opportunities it presented. This exhibition of the earliest watercolours, paintings and drawings of WA superbly captures images of iconic locations still familiar, but now mostly transformed. These European artists were the first of many generations to be inspired by the landscape of WA. The visions are stunning. But the real story, as revealed in the exhibition was much more complex. To broaden views of these topical issues, AGWA also presents two fascinating exhibitions to counterpoint and complement “Unknown Land”. Dissenting Voices is a strongly political show which demonstrates how artists, including significant Indigenous practitioners, use the visual as means of protest, debate and robust dissent. It includes works by prominent Australian practitioners such as Tom Nicholson, Marco Fusinato, Raquel Ormella and Mike Parr; Indigenous artists Gordon Bennett, Julie Dowling, Gordon Hookey, Tracey Moffatt and Lin Onus; and international stars from all periods from Francisco Goya to Leon Golub. By contrast, the Gifts to the Fallen exhibition is a reflective and emotionally charged expression of the Aboriginal voice. This exhibition of Aboriginal work focussing on responses to death, and the ceremonies around it is breathtaking. It presents a combination of traditional and contemporary objects that reference Aboriginal mortuary beliefs and practices. It’s a poignant, beautiful and resonant rejoinder, perhaps, to those who thought they were walking an “unknown land”. [Gallery media].