Colony: Frontier Wars explores the period of colonisation in Australia from 1788 onwards and its often devastating effects on First Peoples. The period, that to many was the discovery of a ‘wondrous’ southern continent, was to others an invasion of homelands occupied for many millennia. This powerful exhibition reveals aspects of what Aboriginal people have experienced as a continuing consequence of colonisation, through works of art.
By bringing together different understandings of Australia’s shared history, this exhibition also offers a pathway towards recognition. Australia’s shared history is explored through the works of many Indigenous and non–Indigenous artists of consequence, including William Barak, Tommy McRae, J.W. Lindt, Arthur Boyd, Brook Andrew, Maree Clarke, Christian Thompson, Gordon Bennett, Julie Gough and Yhonnie Scarce. The exhibition features key works from the NGV Collection as well as significant loans.
Presented concurrently with Colony: Frontier Wars, Colony: Australia 1770 –1861 offers a parallel experience of the colonisation of Australia.
More information can be found here.