Reconciliation Action Plan

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Reconciliation Action Plan 37 CASE STUDY: EXHIBITION ‘I, Object’, Gallery of Modern Art, 3 August 2019 – 29 August 2021 ‘I, Object’ considers the many complex relationships First Australians have to cultural objects — from the histories informing their creation to the social and cultural consequences of their collection by a museum or gallery. This exhibition juxtaposes historical objects alongside contemporary artworks to celebrate the endurance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sculptural traditions. ‘I, Object’ puts contemporary works by artists such as D Harding, Judy Watson, Craig Koomeeta, Fiona Foley and Michael Boiyool Anning in dialogue with historical holdings from the Collection — from early-twentieth-century Queensland fighting clubs and a rainforest shield and sword pair, to transitional objects such as a late-nineteenth- century ‘advertising boomerang’ and Scrimshaw bull horns (c.1900–30), attributed to the Cherbourg Aboriginal Community. Uniting these works are an important group of 45 shields from across Queensland, dating from the 1880s to early 1900s, on loan from a private collection in Sydney. The exhibition demonstrates the pride and inspiration associated with the inherited cultural practices and historical objects of Australia’s First Peoples, and reveals the difficulties posed by their estrangement and collection. This exhibition helps to reshape the ways we relate to these objects as both works of art and significant cultural material. ‘I, Object’ speaks to the uneasy histories and realities of Aboriginal heritage collections, which have simultaneously protected cultures and removed them from their living communities. A group of Gulmardi shields from Central Queensland illustrate this point, with the designs on these shields being one of the last sites of knowledge for the art traditions of the entire region. QAGOMA exhibitions like ‘I, Object’ are important platforms for discussing Australia’s rocky past, and a RAP will ensure that these platforms continue to be provided — both on and off site. Bruce Johnson McLean Assistant Director, Indigenous Engagement, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, and former Curator, Indigenous Australian Art, QAGOMA Opposite: Installation views of 'I, Object', GOMA, which featured Queensland shields by unknown artists dating to c.1880s–1900s Above: 'I, Object', showing works by Bidjara/Ghungalu/Garingbal artist D Harding and Badtjala artist Fiona Foley / Photographs: Natasha Harth / Artworks © The artists