Skip to main content

‘I, Object’
Aug 2019 - Aug 2021

An installation view of a wood sculpture of a dog / Camp dog (Ku)

‘I, Object’ looks at the many complex relationships Indigenous Australian artists have to objects: from the histories informing their creation, to the social and cultural consequences of their collection.

Many traditional Indigenous objects exhibit powerful aesthetic dimensions. For some Indigenous people, cultural productions are more than art objects; rather, they are considered part of ancestral history, and are integral to Indigenous identity. QAGOMA recognises itself as a site where Indigenous Australians can gain greater agency over how their culture, identity and artistic achievements are presented, and that such Indigenous cultural material belongs to ongoing cultural traditions.

‘I, Object’ was on display at GOMA from 3 August 2019 to 29 August 2021, and tours regionally from 5 Aug 2023 to 30 Mar 2025.


Cultural sensitivity warning 
QAGOMA would like to respectfully advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers that this resource contains images and references to the deceased, references to massacres and mentions of derogatory language.



Feature image: Garry Namponan / Wik-Alkan/Wik-Ngatharr people / Australia b.1960 / Ku' (Camp dog) 2010 / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Garry Namponan / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA

Collection artworks featured in ‘I, Object’

Artwork neither pride nor courage this artwork made of Charcoal, crayon and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2006-01-01

neither pride nor courage 2006
Artwork Sexy and dangerous this artwork made of Duraclear on transparent perspex, created in 1996-01-01

Sexy and dangerous 1996, printed 2002
Artwork Rainforest shield (scorpion design) and sword this artwork made of Shield: natural pigments on softwood (Alstonia scholaris or Argyrodendron perlatum); sword: natural pigments on hardwood (Xanthostemon whitei), beeswax and resin with bush string, created in 2000-01-01

Rainforest shield (scorpion design) and sword 2000-01
Artwork Aboriginal, Queensland (from 'Coloured Shell Series: Queensland Views') this artwork made of Postcard: Colour lithograph on paper, created in 1905-01-01

Aboriginal, Queensland (from 'Coloured Shell Series: Queensland Views') c.1905-15
Artwork Queensland Aborigines (Atherton Tablelands) this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1890-01-01

Queensland Aborigines (Atherton Tablelands) 1890s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Rainforest shield late 1800s-early 1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield c.1930s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang (South East Queensland) c.1930s
Artwork Resistance this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01

Resistance 2015
Artwork Diamond series III this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01

Diamond series III 2015
Artwork Aboriginal Chief this artwork made of Postcard: Black and white print on paper, created in 1892-01-01

Aboriginal Chief 1890s
Artwork Apelech brothers this artwork made of Carved milkwood with natural pigments, created in 2002-01-01

Apelech brothers 2002
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mornington Island shield early 1900s
Artwork Indigenous woman this artwork made of Cabinet card size albumen silver photograph on paper, created in 1892-01-01

Indigenous woman c.1892
Artwork Dr JF Berini with Queensland Aboriginal men this artwork made of Albumen photograph mounted on card, created in 1869-01-01

Dr JF Berini with Queensland Aboriginal men 1869
Artwork (Studio portrait of Indigenous group) this artwork made of Gold-toned albumen photograph on paper, created in 1865-01-01

(Studio portrait of Indigenous group) c.1865
Artwork (King Fred wearing a breastplate) this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper mounted on card, created in 1877-01-01

(King Fred wearing a breastplate) c.1880
Artwork Portrait of a Queensland Aboriginal man this artwork made of Albumen photograph mounted on card

Portrait of a Queensland Aboriginal man c.1870
Artwork Kalben this artwork made of Carved wood with synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments, raffia, created in 2016-01-01

Kalben 2016-17
Artwork Refuge this artwork made of Single-channel video: 4:19 minutes, colour, sound, created in 2015-01-01

Refuge 2015
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang c.1940
Artwork Advertising boomerang this artwork made of Incised hardwood

Advertising boomerang c. late 1800s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield late 1800s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield c.1860s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Rainforest shield late 1800s-early 1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield, possibly south-western Queensland early 1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Rainforest shield and sword pair c.1900
Artwork (View of palms on Murray Island) this artwork made of Postcard: Sepia print on paper, created in 1895-01-01

(View of palms on Murray Island) c.1900
Artwork (Torres Straits drummer and dancer) this artwork made of Postcard: Sepia print on paper, created in 1895-01-01

(Torres Straits drummer and dancer) c.1900
Artwork Staghorn and ferns, Murray River, N. Queensland (from 'Coloured Shell Series: Queensland Views') this artwork made of Postcard: Hand-coloured lithograph on paper, created in 1905-01-01

Staghorn and ferns, Murray River, N. Queensland (from 'Coloured Shell Series: Queensland Views') c.1905-15
Artwork Boomerang (South West Queensland) this artwork made of Carved and incised hardwood

Boomerang (South West Queensland) pre 1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Boomerang (Southern Queensland) this artwork made of Carved hardwood, stone adzed and pecked, with natural pigment

Boomerang (Southern Queensland) pre 1900
Artwork Kitty Johnson this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1890-01-01

Kitty Johnson c.1890s
Artwork Boomerang (Southern Queensland) this artwork made of Carved and fluted hardwood

Boomerang (Southern Queensland) c.1900
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Shield (Stradbroke Island) mid 1800s
Artwork Shield (attrib. to Western Queensland) this artwork made of Carved and incised hardwood with natural pigments

Shield (attrib. to Western Queensland) c.1920
Artwork Camp life north Queensland this artwork made of Colourised postcard, created in 1900-01-01

Camp life north Queensland c.1900-10
Artwork our hair in your collections this artwork made of Etching with chine collé on Hahnemühle paper, created in 1997-01-01

our hair in your collections 1997
Artwork parts of the body, foot and toes, penis, testicles, heel, elbow, eyebrows, knee this artwork made of Pigment on canvas, created in 2012-01-01

parts of the body, foot and toes, penis, testicles, heel, elbow, eyebrows, knee 2012
Artwork Small ku' (camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Small ku' (camp dog) 2010
Artwork Scratching ku' (camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Scratching ku' (camp dog) 2010
Artwork Unwritten #1-5 this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and charcoal on paper, created in 2017-01-01

Unwritten #1-5 2017
Artwork Rainforest shield (hand-held fish net design) and sword this artwork made of Shield: natural pigments on softwood (Alstonia scholaris or Argyrodendron perlatum); sword: natural pigments on hardwood (Xanthostemon whitei), beeswax and resin with bush string, created in 2000-01-01

Rainforest shield (hand-held fish net design) and sword 2000-01
Artwork Rainforest shield (shark design) and sword this artwork made of Shield: natural pigments on softwood (Alstonia scholaris or Argyrodendron perlatum); sword: hardwood (Xanthostemon whitei), beeswax and resin with bush string, created in 2000-01-01

Rainforest shield (shark design) and sword 2000-01
Artwork Atherton Tablelands rainforest people - the Yidinji this artwork made of Vintage photographic print on paper, created in 1890-01-01

Atherton Tablelands rainforest people - the Yidinji 1890s
Artwork Ye-i-nie, King of Cairns this artwork made of Commercial photo postcard on paper

Ye-i-nie, King of Cairns c.1905
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Rainforest shield late 1800s-early 1900s
Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with synthetic polymer paint, created in 2010-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
Artwork DISPERSED this artwork made of Charred laminated wood, cast aluminium, .303 inch calibre bullets, created in 2008-01-01

DISPERSED 2008
Artwork Diamond series I this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01

Diamond series I 2015
Artwork Diamond series IV this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01

Diamond series IV 2015
Artwork Aboriginal with Devil's Mask this artwork made of Postcard: Black and white print on paper, created in 1890-01-01

Aboriginal with Devil's Mask 1890s
Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with synthetic polymer paint and glass marbles, created in 2010-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
Artwork Ku'pi'in (Large black camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal, synthetic polymer paint and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Ku'pi'in (Large black camp dog) 2010
Artwork Ku' wu'nan (Lying camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Ku' wu'nan (Lying camp dog) 2010
Artwork (Studio portrait of Indigenous group) this artwork made of Gold-toned albumen photograph on paper, created in 1865-01-01

(Studio portrait of Indigenous group) c.1865
Artwork (Studio portrait of Indigenous group) this artwork made of Gold-toned albumen photograph on paper, created in 1865-01-01

(Studio portrait of Indigenous group) c.1865
Artwork Trunk shield II (Middle Nellie Kelly shield) this artwork made of Reclaimed metal, created in 2001-01-01

Trunk shield II (Middle Nellie Kelly shield) 2001
Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
Artwork Three-legged ku' (camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Three-legged ku' (camp dog) 2010
Artwork Untitled IV [Walken-Aw (Bonefish Story Place) and Kalben (Sacred place in the Flying Fox Story Place) Design] this artwork made of Natural pigments with acrylic binder on linen, created in 2007-01-01

Untitled IV [Walken-Aw (Bonefish Story Place) and Kalben (Sacred place in the Flying Fox Story Place) Design] 2007
Artwork Yidinji men making fire with firesticks this artwork made of Commercial photo postcard

Yidinji men making fire with firesticks c.1910
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield late 1800s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield late 1800s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield early 1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield early 1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield, possibly north-western central Queensland late 1800s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Shield (North Queensland rainforest area) c.1900
Artwork South-west Queensland shield this artwork made of Carved hardwood with resin pigment

South-west Queensland shield c.1890
Artwork Queensland Aboriginal, tree climbing this artwork made of Postcard: Print on card, created in 1905-01-01

Queensland Aboriginal, tree climbing c.1910
Artwork Boomerang (Warwick area) this artwork made of Carved hardwood, created in 1833-01-01

Boomerang (Warwick area) mid 1800s
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Boomerang (Longreach area) this artwork made of Carved and incised hardwood with natural pigment infill

Boomerang (Longreach area) c.1900
Artwork Queensland natives this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1890-01-01

Queensland natives c.1890s
Artwork Fighting boomerang (South West Queensland) this artwork made of Carved and incised hardwood with natural pigment infill

Fighting boomerang (South West Queensland) pre 1900
Artwork (Myora Mission, Stradbroke Island) this artwork made of Commercial photo postcard on paper

(Myora Mission, Stradbroke Island) c.1900s
Artwork Shield (South Burnett area) this artwork made of Carved hardwood with natural pigments and Reckitt's Blue laundry powder

Shield (South Burnett area) c.1900
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Shield 1960s
Artwork memory bones this artwork made of Pigment and pastel on canvas, created in 2007-01-01

memory bones 2007
Artwork our skin in your collections this artwork made of Etching with chine collé on Hahnemühle paper, created in 1997-01-01

our skin in your collections 1997
Artwork skull cave this artwork made of Lithograph on paper, created in 1994-01-01

skull cave 1994
Artwork To know and possess this artwork made of Cast bronze, created in 2021-01-01

To know and possess 2021
Artwork whiteWASH this artwork made of Vintage ashtrays on vinyl lettering, created in 2018-01-01

whiteWASH 2018
Artwork Rainforest shield (pond skater design) and sword this artwork made of Shield: natural pigments on softwood (Alstonia scholaris or Argyrodendron perlatum); sword: hardwood (Xanthostemon whitei), beeswax and resin with bush string, created in 2000-01-01

Rainforest shield (pond skater design) and sword 2000-01
Artwork Rainforest shield (strangler fig design) and sword this artwork made of Shield: natural pigments on softwood (Alstonia scholaris or Argyrodendron perlatum); sword: hardwood (Xanthostemon whitei), beeswax and resin with bush string, created in 2000-01-01

Rainforest shield (strangler fig design) and sword 2000-01
Artwork North Queensland natives this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1890-01-01

North Queensland natives c.1890s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Bloomfield River shield early 1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Rainforest shield, possibly from Mareeba, Queensland c.1900
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang (South East Queensland) c.1930s
Artwork Body of objects this artwork made of Black silicone rubber, horseshoe nails and tacks, created in 2016-01-01

Body of objects 2016
Artwork Diamond series II this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01

Diamond series II 2015
Artwork A Warrior without a Weapon (series) this artwork made of Digital photographic print on paper, created in 2018-01-01

A Warrior without a Weapon (series) 2018
Artwork Aboriginal Chief, North Queensland this artwork made of Postcard: Black and white photographic print, created in 1895-01-01

Aboriginal Chief, North Queensland c.1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mornington Island shield early 1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mornington Island shield early 1900s
Artwork Sitting ku' (camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2009-01-01

Sitting ku' (camp dog) 2009
Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal, synthetic polymer paint and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
Artwork (Studio portrait of Indigenous group) this artwork made of Gold-toned albumen photograph on paper, created in 1865-01-01

(Studio portrait of Indigenous group) c.1865
Artwork Topographical shield this artwork made of Reclaimed metal, created in 2002-01-01

Topographical shield 2002
Artwork Yellow-patched camp dog this artwork made of Carved milkwood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint, created in 2006-01-01

Yellow-patched camp dog 2006
Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2009-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2009
Artwork Untitled XIV [Walken-Aw (Bonefish Story Place) and Kalben (Sacred place in the Flying Fox Story Place) Design] this artwork made of Natural pigments with acrylic binder on linen, created in 2007-01-01

Untitled XIV [Walken-Aw (Bonefish Story Place) and Kalben (Sacred place in the Flying Fox Story Place) Design] 2007
Artwork (Aboriginal nanny with Caucasian child) this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper mounted on card

(Aboriginal nanny with Caucasian child) c.1890s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield late 1800s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gulmari shield, possibly north-western Queensland early 1900s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Shield, possibly western Queensland or Gulf region early 1900s
Artwork Tommy King of Noosa this artwork made of Colourised postcard, created in 1897-01-01

Tommy King of Noosa c.1897
Artwork Blacks' camp, Palm Island, North Queensland this artwork made of Postcard: Colourised photograph on card, created in 1908-01-01

Blacks' camp, Palm Island, North Queensland 1908
Artwork Fighting boomerang (Western Queensland) this artwork made of Carved and fluted hardwood

Fighting boomerang (Western Queensland) pre 1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint

Fighting club c.1900
Artwork North Queensland native this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1890-01-01

North Queensland native c.1890s
Artwork Bellenden-Ker blacks this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1880-01-01

Bellenden-Ker blacks c.1890
Artwork Aged natives, South Queensland this artwork made of Commercial photo postcard on paper

Aged natives, South Queensland c.1900s
Artwork Aboriginal Mia Mias, Murray River, North Queensland this artwork made of Colourised postcard, created in 1900-01-01

Aboriginal Mia Mias, Murray River, North Queensland c.1900-10
Artwork burnt shield this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint, ash, charcoal on canvas, created in 2002-01-01

burnt shield 2002
Artwork our bones in your collections this artwork made of Etching with chine collé on Hahnemühle paper, created in 1997-01-01

our bones in your collections 1997
Artwork Samsara VII this artwork made of Aquatint on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2003-01-01

Samsara VII 2003
Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01

Ku' (Camp dog) 2010

Related digital stories

A view of shields installed on plinths in a gallery space.
I, OBJECT

ESSAY: ‘I, Object’

Read digital story
Three artworks installed on a white gallery wall.
I, OBJECT

I, Object: Artworks in context

Read ESSAY
A photograph of QAGOMA's Collection of ku' (camp dog) sculptures
ESSAY

Ku’ (camp dogs)

Read ESSAY