First Nations sovereignty explored through art
Image: Tear It Down by Travis de Vries.
Entropy Awakening is a timely exhibition that distils conversations around freedom of expression, colonialism, ownership, and independence into a multi-media visual framework. Featuring the vivid, thought-provoking work of Gamilaroi/Dharug artist, Travis De Vries, the exhibition has been curated by Dr Marie Hadley, an intellectual property law researcher at the University of Newcastle.
The unique collaboration between Dr Hadley and De Vries began as a single commission and grew into a larger exploration of the theme. At the centre of the exhibition is Tear It Down, a digital drawing created by De Vries that depicts a group of Aboriginal activists pulling down a statue of Captain Cook in Hyde Park.
There’s a lot of unpack in the image. Some of the more obvious things are: anti-racism graffiti has been sprayed around the statue’s base; the protestors are wearing devils horns and only the backs of their heads can be seen.
It’s typical of De Vries’ work. The award-winning multi-disciplinary artist embraces his Gamilaroi heritage in his work, imbuing it with contemporary and cross-cultural references – from vampires and mythological gods to futuristic superheroes and villains; from the sublime and beautiful to the disturbing and grotesque.
Entropy Awakening includes digital images, video, graphic novel illustrations, all underscored by esoteric audio created by Awabakal musician, Adam Manning. Manning is a celebrated composer and percussionist who has recorded albums on major labels. Manning will play live at the exhibition’s launch on October 5.
Dr Hadley is a research lawyer specialising in copyright and intellectual property. She is interested in the intersections and conflicts between this area of law and the concepts in society around expressive freedoms, cultural appropriation, the right to protest, copyrights, and how law evolves to keep up with changing technologies.
Entropy Awakening
October 5 – 15, 2022
107, 107 Redfern St, Redfern
107.org.au/event/entropy-awakening/
Exhibition Launch: October 5, 6pm
FREE, but you must register
