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‘Balance 1990: Views, Visions, Influences’
Feb 1990 - Apr 1990

Works installed for ‘Balance 1990’, QAG, 1990 (scan from colour side, QAGOMA Library) / Photograph: Ray Fulton, QAGOMA

With the opening of ‘Balance 1990: Views, Visions, Influences’, which reflects the range and diverse manifestations of the rich and complex Aboriginal culture, comes the opportunity of seeing and evaluating an area of activity in the visual arts which previously has not been collated into a cohesive and deliberate format; it is a concept of a shared aesthetic in which works by Aboriginal and White Australian artists, using both traditional and contemporary images and a variety of media, cross previously accepted boundaries and merge culturally.

One can interpret this as a continuing search for Aboriginal identity in traditional, regional and urban environments. In the work of the White Australian artists, there often exists, either in part or in total, a constant manifestation of Aboriginal social, political and (on occasions) religious issues, through images which appropriate elements of traditional Aboriginal art. They are works in which White Australians can begin to establish their relationship with the disparate manifestations of Aboriginal culture.

‘Balance 1990’ does reveal a variety of views, visions and influences, but in many cases a balance or equilibrium has not been achieved in the issues raised and approached in the images themselves, and this gives the exhibition its immediate relevance and dynamism.

This exhibition is the first co-ordinated national exposure given to this important and active area of Aboriginal and White Australian collaboration in the visual arts.

— Doug Hall, 1990


The above excerpt is drawn from Doug Hall’s foreword to Balance 1990: Views, Visions, Influences [exhibition catalogue], Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, 1990.

Feature image: Works installed for ‘Balance 1990’, QAG, 1990 (scan from colour side, QAGOMA Library) / Photograph: Ray Fulton, QAGOMA

Collection artworks featured in ‘Balance 1990: Views, Visions, Influences’

Artwork Seven Sisters this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Seven Sisters 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Bird 1989
Artwork Tracks and traces (from '... as the serpent struggles' series) this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1987-01-01

Tracks and traces (from '... as the serpent struggles' series) 1987
Artwork Four stories from the Dreamtime this artwork made of Natural pigments on stringy-bark, created in 1988-01-01

Four stories from the Dreamtime 1988
Artwork Yes Sir, I can Boogie this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Yes Sir, I can Boogie 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Kangaroo: Resting place for the unknown kangaroo 1987-88
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Red sands I 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Tjukurpa Dreaming 1989
Artwork Yongas (Kangaroos) spiritual concerns this artwork made of Lithograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Yongas (Kangaroos) spiritual concerns 1988
Artwork Listening to the wind (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil and collage on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Listening to the wind (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork The School of Arts (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1989-01-01

The School of Arts (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork Kandinsky's black relationship E version no.2 (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Kandinsky's black relationship E version no.2 (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork The small brown house (with test patterns for thought) (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil and collage on paper, created in 1989-01-01

The small brown house (with test patterns for thought) (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Grog story 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Even today for many it's still one way (from 'Right here right now - Australia 1988' portfolio) 1987
Artwork Let's have a drink and celebrate (from 'Right here right now - Australia 1988' portfolio) this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1987-01-01

Let's have a drink and celebrate (from 'Right here right now - Australia 1988' portfolio) 1987
Artwork Bradman bowled Gilbert this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Bradman bowled Gilbert 1989
Artwork Yuelamu this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1988-01-01

Yuelamu 1988
Artwork Earth as Mother this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Earth as Mother 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Urban corroboree II 1981
Artwork Broken law this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on metal sheet, created in 1989-01-01

Broken law 1989
Artwork Three children playing (from 'Portraits' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Three children playing (from 'Portraits' series) 1988-89
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

The rabbit trapper, Dorrigo, N.S.W. (from 'Portraits' series) 1947, printed 1994
Artwork Portrait of a child (from 'Portraits' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Portrait of a child (from 'Portraits' series) 1988-89
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Spear-thrower 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Geo-centralis 1989
Artwork Painted rum bottle (red) this artwork made of Enamel household paint on glass, created in 1988-01-01

Painted rum bottle (red) 1988-89
Artwork Painted rum bottle (yellow) this artwork made of Enamel household paint on glass, created in 1988-01-01

Painted rum bottle (yellow) 1988-89
Artwork Painted rum bottle (black) this artwork made of Enamel household paint on glass, created in 1988-01-01

Painted rum bottle (black) 1988-89
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Coolamon 1989
Artwork Textile length: Spider web design this artwork made of Screenprinted in orange, black and red on mauve commercial cotton, created in 1989-01-01

Textile length: Spider web design 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Carved boab nut 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Plaster cod 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Coolamon 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Red country 1990
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Map of Australia 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Quilt - Biri dancers 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Fish spear with stingray barb 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Nulla-nulla 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang 1989
Artwork Dreaming figures this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Dreaming figures 1989
Artwork Yingarna triptych this artwork made of Pastel on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Yingarna triptych 1989
Artwork Finding grubs for crosslines this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas board, created in 1989-01-01

Finding grubs for crosslines 1989
Artwork Ducks and pythons this artwork made of Natural pigments on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Ducks and pythons 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Gol Gol 1988
Artwork Group of Aboriginal children this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Group of Aboriginal children 1989
Artwork Kangaroo and Rain Dreaming this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Kangaroo and Rain Dreaming 1989
Artwork The Coming of the Light this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1987-01-01

The Coming of the Light 1987
Artwork Spirit level (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Spirit level (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork Eclipse (cast a cold shadow) Kandinsky's black relationship E version no.3 (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil and collage on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Eclipse (cast a cold shadow) Kandinsky's black relationship E version no.3 (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork The School of Arts (imaginary landscape) (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour with collage on paper, created in 1989-01-01

The School of Arts (imaginary landscape) (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Colonialism, racism, genocide (from 'Right here right now - Australia 1988' portfolio) 1987
Artwork Rock (Art) of Ages this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Rock (Art) of Ages 1989-90
Artwork Black this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on plywood, cedar and dowel, created in 1988-01-01

Black 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Unity 1988
Artwork Pregnancy this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Pregnancy 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Big house 1988
Artwork From Dreamtime 2 Machinetime this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1979-01-01

From Dreamtime 2 Machinetime 1979
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

The making of Queensland Aboriginal law 1989
Artwork Black Magic this artwork made of Magazine, newspaper and poster cut-outs on paper, created in 1987-01-01

Black Magic 1987
Artwork Aboriginal protest gathering (from 'Portraits' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Aboriginal protest gathering (from 'Portraits' series) 1988-89
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Bracelet and earring set 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Desert tracks 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Carved snake 1989
Artwork Painted rum bottle (red) this artwork made of Enamel household paint on glass, created in 1988-01-01

Painted rum bottle (red) 1988-89
Artwork Painted rum bottle (red, yellow, black) this artwork made of Enamel household paint on glass, created in 1988-01-01

Painted rum bottle (red, yellow, black) 1988-89
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Echidna quill earrings 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Shield 1988
Artwork Decorated slate: (Bird) this artwork made of Natural earth pigments on slate, created in 1989-01-01

Decorated slate: (Bird) 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Snake Dreaming - Pittaninya 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Goanna 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Coolamon 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Double head 1989
Artwork Grandfather and grandson this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Grandfather and grandson 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Spear c.1988-89
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang: Min min light 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

(Dugong hunt) 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

'S' boomerang 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Lorrkon (Hollow log) 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Milky Way Dreaming at Yalata 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Carving of heron and burrak with Madarrpa Clan design 1989
Artwork Garimala (The Two Snakes) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1988-01-01

Garimala (The Two Snakes) 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Man figure 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Bird 1987
Artwork Lovers story this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Lovers story 1989
Artwork Island fish patterns this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 1989-01-01

Island fish patterns 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Abstract environmental design 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Paarintji 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Turrubul 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Looking for desert frogs 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Catfish 1989
Artwork Tromemanner - forgive us our trespass I-IV this artwork made of Pigment wash and encaustic with wrapped and tied artefacts on canvas, created in 1988-01-01

Tromemanner - forgive us our trespass I-IV 1988-89
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Melaleuca trees 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Kurlama 1987
Artwork Ngilipitji stone spearhead quarry this artwork made of Natural pigments on stringy-bark, created in 1989-01-01

Ngilipitji stone spearhead quarry 1989
Artwork Daddy's little girl (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Daddy's little girl (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork The little red brick schoolhouse (Kandinsky's black relationship E version no.1) (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil and collage on paper, created in 1989-01-01

The little red brick schoolhouse (Kandinsky's black relationship E version no.1) (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork Untitled (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Untitled (from 'Works from the People's Republic of Spiritual Revolution' series) 1989
Artwork Descendants (from 'Right here right now - Australia 1988' portfolio) this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1987-01-01

Descendants (from 'Right here right now - Australia 1988' portfolio) 1987
Artwork Nomad economy this artwork made of Oil and wax stick on canvas on composition board, created in 1979-01-01

Nomad economy 1979
Artwork Homeless? this artwork made of Linocut on paper, created in 1989-01-01

Homeless? 1989
Artwork Healing place this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Healing place 1988
Artwork Spaceman this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint, charcoal and wood on canvas, created in 1987-01-01

Spaceman 1987
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

A foot in both camps 1989
Artwork Man sitting on ground with didgeridoo and radio/cassettes (from 'Portraits' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Man sitting on ground with didgeridoo and radio/cassettes (from 'Portraits' series) 1988-89
Artwork Boat with Aboriginal flag sailing on Brisbane River (from 'Portraits' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Boat with Aboriginal flag sailing on Brisbane River (from 'Portraits' series) 1988-89
Artwork Coffeepot and four mugs this artwork made of Earthenware, white clay, slip-cast with coloured glazes, created in 1989-01-01

Coffeepot and four mugs 1989
Artwork Painted rum bottle (yellow) this artwork made of Enamel household paint on glass, created in 1988-01-01

Painted rum bottle (yellow) 1988-89
Artwork Painted rum bottle (black) this artwork made of Enamel household paint on glass, created in 1988-01-01

Painted rum bottle (black) 1988-89
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Echidna quill earrings 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Spear 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Shield 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Devil devil dog 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Camp dog 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Spirit of the Deep 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Shield with carved lizard 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Nulla-nulla 1989
Artwork Floor pot (fish & stingray) this artwork made of Hand-built raku clay, created in 1989-01-01

Floor pot (fish & stingray) 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Sunset 1990
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Decorated tray 1987
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Tablecloth 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Boomerang: fishtrap 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Fish spear 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Killer boomerang 1989
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

(Decorated bean pod) 1989

Related digital stories

Works installed for ‘Balance 1990’, QAG, 1990 (scan from colour side, QAGOMA Library) / Photograph: Ray Fulton, QAGOMA
ESSAY

Balance 1990: Views, visions, influences

Read ESSAY
An installation view of works installed on a white wall in a gallery space; there is one very large work at right that depicts a crucified Jesus, with other smaller works at left
ESSAY

Balance 1990: Foreword

Read ESSAY