Tony Albert to Lead 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial

Tony Albert to Lead 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial

The National Gallery of Australia has proudly announced Tony Albert, one of the nation’s foremost contemporary artists, as the artistic director of the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial. A proud Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji man, Albert has consistently explored the cultural misrepresentation of First Nations people, creating a unique artistic language through his multidisciplinary practice. Tony Albert to Lead 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial

Albert’s appointment underscores the National Gallery’s dedication to elevating First Nations art and voices, engaging with contemporary ideas of global significance. The 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial, titled After The Rain, will showcase the work of contemporary First Nations artists from across Australia. The exhibition will open at the National Gallery in Kamberri/Canberra in December 2025, followed by a national tour in 2026.

Reflecting on his new role, Albert expressed his excitement and vision for the Triennial. “I am thrilled to be appointed Artistic Director of the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial, over a decade after my work was first exhibited in the Triennial,” he said. “I’ll be working with leading contemporary artists from around the country to present a new vision – a homage to the culture warriors of the past, present, and future.”

Tony Albert to Lead 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial

Albert’s history with the Triennial dates back to the inclusion of his work over a decade ago. Now, as the first artist to lead the Triennial, he aims to bring fresh perspectives and intentionality to the presentation of After The Rain. Albert plans to celebrate intergenerational legacies by collaborating closely with First Nations artists to create new immersive projects centered on themes of rebirth and cycles of cleansing.

The previous four iterations of the Triennial were led by First Nations curators, including the most recent exhibition, Ceremony, curated by Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman Hetti Perkins in 2022. Ceremony explored the nexus of Country, culture, and community, attracting over 135,000 visitors across six locations in Australia.

Tony Albert to Lead 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial

Dr. Nick Mitzevich, director of the National Gallery, expressed his enthusiasm for Albert’s appointment. “In this moment, when First Nations art and cultures are receiving more attention on the world stage than ever before, appointing an artist committed to championing other emerging and established First Nations artists was a clear choice,” he said. “Albert has achieved extraordinary visibility and critical acclaim for his art practice and perhaps more significantly, he has sought and taken every opportunity to platform First Nations art.”

Albert’s acclaim extends internationally and nationally. In 2023, he was named the inaugural Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain First Nations Curatorial Fellow, a role in which he collaborated with 14 artists for the Sydney Biennale. As a founding member of the Queensland Indigenous art collective proppaNOW, established in 2003, Albert has long provided a supportive environment for urban-based Aboriginal artists to explore social and cultural issues through art.

Albert’s own work has been featured in two previous Triennial exhibitions at the National Gallery: unDisclosed (2012) and Defying Empire (2021). His leadership of the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After The Rain promises to bring renewed focus and creative energy to the event.

The 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After The Rain is made possible through the continued generosity of the National Gallery’s First Nations Arts Partner, Wesfarmers Arts, and key philanthropic supporters.

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Source:  https://nit.com.au/25-07-2024/12699/tony-albert-appointed-artistic-director-of-5th-national-indigenous-art-triennial

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