‘I, Object’
Aug 2019 -
Aug 2021
![An installation view of a wood sculpture of a dog / Camp dog (Ku)](/index.php/system/files/styles/wide/private/2024-01/GOMA_IObject_installationview_20210210_jruckli_008%20%281%29.jpg?itok=_VKYWqRL)
‘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’
![© Vernon Ah Kee Artwork neither pride nor courage this artwork made of Charcoal, crayon and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2006-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2007.098a-c_20111116_msherwood_JamesCSourris_InstallationView_056.jpg_0.jpg?itok=mshFoLyC)
neither pride nor courage 2006
- AH KEE, Vernon - Creator
![Vernon Ah Kee/Copyright Agency Artwork Unwritten #1-5 this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and charcoal on paper, created in 2017-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.378.001-005_001_part%201_0.jpg?itok=g-AtD0Yv)
Unwritten #1-5 2017
- AH KEE, Vernon - Creator
![Tony Albert/Copyright Agency Artwork whiteWASH this artwork made of Vintage ashtrays on vinyl lettering, created in 2018-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2018.222_001.jpg?itok=PyD0QURp)
whiteWASH 2018
- ALBERT, Tony - Creator
![Jack Bell Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with synthetic polymer paint, created in 2010-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.599_001_4.jpg?itok=o-Mf2P2-)
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- BELL, Jack - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork DISPERSED this artwork made of Charred laminated wood, cast aluminium, .303 inch calibre bullets, created in 2008-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2013.153a-i_001_3.jpg?itok=_Bl0N0LE)
DISPERSED 2008
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![© D. Harding Artwork Body of objects this artwork made of Black silicone rubber, horseshoe nails and tacks, created in 2016-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/2023-05/2016.285a-j_23-01_part%20a.jpg?itok=zSDZJoDG)
Body of objects 2016
- HARDING, D - Creator
![© Jennifer Herd/ Courtesy: The artist and FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane Artwork Resistance this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2016.292_001_5.jpg?itok=7JOD7KZS)
Resistance 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
![© Jennifer Herd/ Courtesy: The artist and FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane Artwork Diamond series I this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2016.293_001_6.jpg?itok=jtGh94Np)
Diamond series I 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
![© Jennifer Herd/ Courtesy: The artist and FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane Artwork Diamond series II this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2016.294_001_5.jpg?itok=uLQHfapK)
Diamond series II 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
![© Jennifer Herd/ Courtesy: The artist and FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane Artwork Diamond series III this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2016.295_001_5.jpg?itok=aX7e5m_u)
Diamond series III 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
![© Jennifer Herd/ Courtesy: The artist and FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane Artwork Diamond series IV this artwork made of Pinhole drawing on Arches 370gsm paper, created in 2015-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2016.296_001_6.jpg?itok=fsFGasDn)
Diamond series IV 2015
- HERD, Jennifer - Creator
![Artwork Aboriginal Chief this artwork made of Postcard: Black and white print on paper, created in 1892-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2014.072_001_3.jpg?itok=qW2_Aij2)
Aboriginal Chief 1890s
- KERRY & CO - Creator
![Artwork Aboriginal with Devil's Mask this artwork made of Postcard: Black and white print on paper, created in 1890-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2014.073_001_4.jpg?itok=sRamLKLt)
Aboriginal with Devil's Mask 1890s
- KERRY & CO - Creator
![Craig Koomeeta Artwork Apelech brothers this artwork made of Carved milkwood with natural pigments, created in 2002-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2002.118a-b_001_3.jpg?itok=DnQk4Jqh)
Apelech brothers 2002
- KOOMEETA, Craig - Creator
![Craig Koomeeta Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with synthetic polymer paint and glass marbles, created in 2010-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.596_001_3.jpg?itok=Rn0kDCNt)
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- KOOMEETA, Craig - Creator
![Artwork Indigenous woman this artwork made of Cabinet card size albumen silver photograph on paper, created in 1892-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2014.002_001_3.jpg?itok=vWp2Y5fo)
Indigenous woman c.1892
- LUNDAGER, Jens Hansen - Creator
![David Marpoondin 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](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.593_001_3.jpg?itok=EOAMWDxB)
Sitting ku' (camp dog) 2009
- MARPOONDIN, David - Creator
![David Marpoondin 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](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.595_001_4.jpg?itok=G293cyR_)
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- MARPOONDIN, David - Creator
![© Danie Mellor Artwork Topographical shield this artwork made of Reclaimed metal, created in 2002-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2003.046_002_5.jpg?itok=fVYuELtS)
Topographical shield 2002
- MELLOR, Danie - Creator
![The artist Artwork Yellow-patched camp dog this artwork made of Carved milkwood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint, created in 2006-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2007.148_001_3.jpg?itok=svKM7G9p)
Yellow-patched camp dog 2006
- NAMPONAN, Garry - Creator
![© Garry Namponan Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.589_002.jpg?itok=-2iUGI4F)
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- NAMPONAN, Garry - Creator
![© Garry Namponan Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2009-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.590_001.jpg?itok=UqxoOUoi)
Ku' (Camp dog) 2009
- NAMPONAN, Garry - Creator
![Alair Pambegan Artwork Kalben this artwork made of Carved wood with synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments, raffia, created in 2016-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.367.001-107_001_detail_3.jpg?itok=vHWLX78Z)
Kalben 2016-17
- PAMBEGAN, Alair - Creator
![Christian Thompson Artwork Refuge this artwork made of Single-channel video: 4:19 minutes, colour, sound, created in 2015-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2015.107_001_still_0.jpg?itok=9vR3QxUb)
Refuge 2015
- THOMPSON, Christian - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Boomerang c.1940
- O'CHIN, attrib. to Jack - Creator
![Artwork Advertising boomerang this artwork made of Incised hardwood](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2019.093_001_3.jpg?itok=H6oYHsd1)
Advertising boomerang c. late 1800s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Gulmari shield late 1800s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Gulmari shield late 1800s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Gulmari shield late 1800s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Gulmari shield early 1900s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Gulmari shield c.1860s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Gulmari shield early 1900s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Gulmari shield late 1800s
- MURRI ARTIST - Creator
![Artwork South-west Queensland shield this artwork made of Carved hardwood with resin pigment](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2018.160_001_4.jpg?itok=GRiGQtft)
South-west Queensland shield c.1890
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Tommy King of Noosa this artwork made of Colourised postcard, created in 1897-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2014.003_001_4.jpg?itok=ZcclTy2R)
Tommy King of Noosa c.1897
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Boomerang (Warwick area) this artwork made of Carved hardwood, created in 1833-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.392_001_3.jpg?itok=A-C42Y9a)
Boomerang (Warwick area) mid 1800s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_40.jpg?itok=uvvLsuRi)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_41.jpg?itok=IPRtrohx)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_42.jpg?itok=WPyJTXoi)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_46.jpg?itok=bcQzd2LU)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_46.jpg?itok=bcQzd2LU)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_46.jpg?itok=bcQzd2LU)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_47.jpg?itok=TVCFT8wo)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_47.jpg?itok=TVCFT8wo)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_49.jpg?itok=zk-c3asz)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fighting club this artwork made of Carved wood with natural pigments and synthetic polymer paint](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.123-132_003_49.jpg?itok=zk-c3asz)
Fighting club c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Boomerang (Longreach area) this artwork made of Carved and incised hardwood with natural pigment infill](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.396_001_3.jpg?itok=zCmREX9x)
Boomerang (Longreach area) c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork North Queensland native this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1890-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2003.178.025_001_4.jpg?itok=gqqiH8gv)
North Queensland native c.1890s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Queensland natives this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1890-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2003.178.026_001_4.jpg?itok=fkeyFciD)
Queensland natives c.1890s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Kitty Johnson this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1890-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2003.178.027_001_4.jpg?itok=zJkJak9Q)
Kitty Johnson c.1890s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Bellenden-Ker blacks this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1880-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2005.047_001_3.jpg?itok=IRq25tDG)
Bellenden-Ker blacks c.1890
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Shield (Stradbroke Island) mid 1800s
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Shield (South Burnett area) this artwork made of Carved hardwood with natural pigments and Reckitt's Blue laundry powder](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.384_001_3.jpg?itok=d3IMkgzc)
Shield (South Burnett area) c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Judy Watson/Copyright Agency Artwork burnt shield this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint, ash, charcoal on canvas, created in 2002-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2003.021_002.jpg?itok=VTifemVE)
burnt shield 2002
- WATSON, Judy - Creator
![Judy Watson/Copyright Agency Artwork memory bones this artwork made of Pigment and pastel on canvas, created in 2007-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.191_002_0.jpg?itok=yQRADD6-)
memory bones 2007
- WATSON, Judy - Creator
![Fiona Foley/Copyright Agency Artwork Samsara VII this artwork made of Aquatint on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2003-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2004.013_001_0.jpg?itok=KABF4zMt)
Samsara VII 2003
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Judy Watson/Copyright Agency Artwork skull cave this artwork made of Lithograph on paper, created in 1994-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2003.023_001_0.jpg?itok=QqIzIrSz)
skull cave 1994
- WATSON, Judy - Creator
![Keith Wikmunea 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](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.600_001_3.jpg?itok=AVIYZDXZ)
Small ku' (camp dog) 2010
- WIKMUNEA, Keith - Creator
![© Warraba Weatherall Artwork To know and possess this artwork made of Cast bronze, created in 2021-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2022.003.001-010_001.jpg?itok=AAE1VbIQ)
To know and possess 2021
- WEATHERALL, Warraba - Creator
![Roderick Yunkaporta Artwork Ku' (Camp dog) this artwork made of Carved milkwood (Alstonia muellerana) with natural pigments, charcoal and acrylic binder, created in 2010-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2010.592_001.jpg?itok=-slvYdAP)
Ku' (Camp dog) 2010
- YUNKAPORTA, Roderick - Creator