There are a number of reasons why I began painting abstract paintings . . . One reason is that I felt I had gone as far as I could with the postcolonial project I was working through . . . The content of the work was getting to me emotionally. So, painting in an overtly 'abstract' manner was a way to go silent on the issues involved and yet still keep painting. It was a way forward for me.

Another reason was to make people aware that I am an artist first and not a professional 'Aborigine'. I found people were always confusing me as a person with the content of my work. While it is true that most of my work has been autobiographical, I'm still separate from it . . .

Finally, I've never been one to make art about art before. There was always some sense of social engagement. I needed to change direction . . . at least for a while. Art about art seems appropriate for the time being. The 'Stripe' series of abstract paintings represents a kind of freedom for me as an artist.

— Gordon Bennett, 2004