‘I, Object’
Aug 2019 -
Aug 2021
‘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’
neither pride nor courage 2006
- AH KEE, Vernon - Creator
Unwritten #1-5 2017
- AH KEE, Vernon - Creator
whiteWASH 2018
- ALBERT, Tony - Creator
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- BELL, Jack - Creator
DISPERSED 2008
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
Body of objects 2016
- HARDING, D - Creator
Resistance 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
Diamond series I 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
Diamond series II 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
Diamond series III 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
Diamond series IV 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
Aboriginal Chief 1890s
- KERRY & CO - Creator
Aboriginal with Devil's Mask 1890s
- KERRY & CO - Creator
Apelech brothers 2002
- KOOMEETA, Craig - Creator
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- KOOMEETA, Craig - Creator
Indigenous woman c.1892
- LUNDAGER, Jens Hansen - Creator
Sitting ku' (camp dog) 2009
- MARPOONDIN, David - Creator
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- MARPOONDIN, David - Creator
Topographical shield 2002
- MELLOR, Danie - Creator
Yellow-patched camp dog 2006
- NAMPONAN, Garry - Creator
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- NAMPONAN, Garry - Creator
Ku' (Camp dog) 2009
- NAMPONAN, Garry - Creator
Kalben 2016-17
- PAMBEGAN, Alair - Creator
Refuge 2015
- THOMPSON, Christian - Creator
Boomerang c.1940
- O'CHIN, attrib. to Jack - Creator
Advertising boomerang c. late 1800s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Gulmari shield late 1800s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
Gulmari shield late 1800s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
Gulmari shield late 1800s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
Gulmari shield early 1900s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
Gulmari shield c.1860s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
Gulmari shield early 1900s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
Gulmari shield late 1800s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
South-west Queensland shield c.1890
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Tommy King of Noosa c.1897
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Boomerang (Warwick area) mid 1800s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Boomerang (Longreach area) c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
North Queensland native c.1890s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Queensland natives c.1890s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Kitty Johnson c.1890s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Bellenden-Ker blacks c.1890
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Shield (Stradbroke Island) mid 1800s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Shield (South Burnett area) c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
burnt shield 2002
- WATSON, Judy - Creator
memory bones 2007
- WATSON, Judy - Creator
Samsara VII 2003
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
skull cave 1994
- WATSON, Judy - Creator
Small ku' (camp dog) 2010
- WIKMUNEA, Keith - Creator
To know and possess 2021
- WEATHERALL, Warraba - Creator
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- YUNKAPORTA, Roderick - Creator