WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Tony Albert

8th February - 29th March 2008 | CCAS Gorman

This new series of work by Brisbane based Aboriginal post-colonial artist Tony Albert unashamedly reclaims images of Aboriginal people in velvet painting prints by Martinus and others; relics from a period when Aboriginal people were though of as unsophisticated and simple, so these romantic and sexualized representations were needed to enable an emotional connection from wider society.

Albert uses the languages of politics and pop to re-connect these pictures with reality and a contemporary context.Over-laidtext reclaims the faces of the helpless, the sanitized and the sexualized-transformingthem into complex characterswho mischievouslyreinvent themselves and assert a modern identity. Slogans are derived from pop songs, jingoistic nursery rhymes, advertising, political speeches and life stories. An identity is finally given and we are able to connect with these characters beyond a romantic or stereotyped context. They have finally become personalized and empowered.

Image: Tony Albert, where is the love?, 2007