Nongirrna Marawili, installation view, 22nd Biennale of Sydney – NIRIN, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2020, image courtesy the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia © the artist, photograph: Ken Leanfore.
Since its inception in 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has showcased the work of nearly 1,800 artists from more than 100 countries and holds an important place on both the national and international stage.
Curated by Brook Andrew, this year’s Biennale emphasises First Nations artists under the theme of NIRIN, a word drawn from Andrews’ Wiradjuri heritage which roughly translates to ‘edge’.
The urgent states of our contemporary lives are laden with unresolved past anxieties and hidden layers of the supernatural. NIRIN is about to expose this, demonstrating that artists and creatives have the power to resolve, heal, dismember and imagine futures of transformation for re-setting the world. Sovereignty is at the centre of these actions, and shines a light on environments in shadow.
Optimism from chaos drives artists in NIRIN to resolve the often hidden or ignored urgency surrounding contemporary life.
NIRIN artists aim to break down, re-define and rip apart strong frontier narratives and actions on restitution that are often ignored. The representation of African and Indigenous bodies and objects confront old wounds.
NIRIN will empower artists presenting challenging views of the world.
Vanessa Inkamala, ‘Homeless on my homeland’, 2019, acrylic and marker pen on nylon stripe bag, 66 x 69 cm.
From 14 March – 8 June 2020, the works of 110 artists, creatives and collectives will be exhibited, including many Indigenous artists such as Tony Albert, Karla Dickens, Nongirrna Marawili, and Warwick Thornton. The Biennale is free for all to enjoy and will be located at six sites:
- Art Gallery of NSW
- Artspace
- Campbelltown Arts Centre
- Cockatoo Island
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
- The National Art School
The Biennale of Sydney in collaboration with BE. and supported by Noakes Group, NIRIN HAIVETA, restored wooden boat. Image courtesy of the Biennale of Sydney.
Australian Indigenous artists and art groups include, among others:
- Tony Albert
- Karla Dickens
- Warwick Thornton
- Nongirrna Marawili
- Kunmanara Mumu Mike Williams
- Melanie Mununggurr
- Pedro Wonaeamirri
- Namila Benson
- Charlotte Allingham
- Barbara McGrady
- Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre
- The Mulka Project
- Blacktown Native Institution
Warwick Thornton’s new work Meth Kelly. Photograph: Sydney Film Festival.
SOURCE: Biennale of Sydney.