OCCURRENT AFFAIR was a major exhibition featuring new and recent works by Brisbane-established Aboriginal artist collective, proppaNOW.
Established in 2003, proppaNOW is one of Australia’s leading cultural collectives, exploring the politics of Aboriginal art and culture, and provoking, subverting and re-thinking what it means to be a ‘contemporary Aboriginal artist’.
Conceived as a collaborative activist gesture, OCCURRENT AFFAIR addressed current socio-political, economic and environmental issues, while celebrating the strength, resilience and continuity of Aboriginal culture.
Engaging wordplay through its title, OCCURRENT AFFAIR referenced the sensational journalistic style of some television current affair programs. OCCURRENT AFFAIR embraced the slippage between language and its associated readings to probe and present new narratives. The exhibition reflected on the ongoing state of affairs affecting Aboriginal communities—issues that are relevant to all Australians.
A UQ Art Museum exhibition touring with Museums & Galleries of NSW. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.
Artists
First Nations visitors to this site are advised that the following may contain images, names, and voices of people who have died. The family has granted permission for all images and artwork to be shown here and in the exhibition.
Public programs and events
Opening event
2–5pm, Saturday 24 February 2024
The program included a Welcome to Country, Richard Bell, Vernon Ah Kee and Gordon Hookey in conversation with Aunty Helena Gulash, and an activation of Richard Bell’s Embassy.
Protest and resistance
11am, Saturday 20 April 2024
Using the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games land rights protests and Richard Bell's painting 'Kessel Road Protest' 2022 as starting points, Helena Gulash, Les Malezer, and Bob Weatherall discussed the history, legacy, and future of collective protest and resistance.
Closing event
11–1pm, Saturday 4 May 2024
Local laundros Libby Harward (Quandamooka) and Dom Chen (Gamilaroi) from the Blak Laundry took over Richard Bell’s Embassy.
Education resource
The activities in this resource aim to be used flexibly by all ages and abilities but are particularly aimed towards high school students and adult learners. They may be undertaken before, during or after an exhibition visit. While these activities have been written with secondary students in mind, teachers are encouraged to adapt these learning activities to suit their context and their students. We also encourage community groups and gallery staff to use the information and activities in this resource to aid the visitor experience.
Image: Installation view of OCCURRENT AFFAIR at UniSC Art Gallery. Photo: Carl Warner.