QAGOMA’s vision for reconciliation

 

The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) has launched its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to guide its contributions to reconciliation for the next two years.

View the 2022–24 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

The Innovate-level RAP, developed with guidance from Dr Terri Janke (Wuthathi/Meriam, Australia), the Gallery’s Indigenous Advisory Panel and its staff, and in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia, formalises the institution’s commitment to recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures.

The Innovate RAP strives to embed reconciliation within our organisation’s vision and values and represents a crucial milestone for our understanding and sharing of the rich cultural histories and stories of First Australians now and into the future.

The Gallery has a long history of representing First Australians through its collecting, exhibitions, programs and other activities, and it is necessary and timely to formalise our commitment through measurable actions to affect real and lasting change.

Queensland shields

Installation view of thw 2020 exhibition ‘I, Object’ at GOMA, featuring Queensland shields by unknown artists, c.1880s–1900s / Purchased 2011 and 2012. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © QAGOMA

Johnny Warangula Tjupurrula

Johnny Warangula Tjupurrula, Luritja people NT, Australia 1918-2001 / Women’s ceremony in a cave 1971 / Synthetic polymer paint on composition board / 34.0 x 46.0 cm / Purchased 2021 with the support of the Australian Government through the National Cultural Heritage Account and the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Estate of Johnny Warangula Tjupurrula / Licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd

Judy Watson

Judy Watson, Waanyi people, Australia b.1959 / tow row 2016 / Bronze / 193 x 175 x 300cm (approx.) / Commissioned 2016 to mark the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art. This project has been realised with generous support from the Queensland Government, the Neilson Foundation and Cathryn Mittelheuser, AM, through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Judy Watson

Danie Mellor

Danie Mellor, Ngadjonjii/Mamu and Anglo-Australian heritage, Australia b.1971 / The pleasure and vexation of history 2017 / Wax pastel, wash with oil pigment, watercolour and pencil on paper / 220 x 140cm / The Taylor Family Collection. Purchased 2019 with funds from Paul, Sue and Kate Taylor through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Danie Mellor

Mavis Ngallametta

Mavis Ngallametta, Kugu-Uwanh people, Putch clan, Australia 1944–2019 / Little swamp on the way to Obun 2018 / Natural pigments and charcoal with acrylic binder on linen / 271 x 200 cm / Purchased 2018. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Estate of Mavis Ngallametta

Jonathan Jones

Jonathan Jones, Artist, Kamilaroi/Wiradjuri people, Australia b.1978; Dr Uncle Stan Grant Sr AM, Cultural advisor and speaker of recorded Wiradjuri, Wiradjuri people, Australia b.1940 / untitled (giran) 2018 / Bindu-gaany (freshwater mussel shell), gabudha (rush), gawurra (feathers), marrung dinawan (emu egg), walung (stone), wambuwung dhabal (kangaroo bone), wayu (string), wiiny (wood) on wire pins, 48-channel soundscape, eucalyptus oil / 1742 pieces (comprising 291 Bindu-gaany; 290 Galigal; 292 Bagaay; 291 Dhalany; 280 Bingal; 298 Waybarra) / Purchased 2018 with funds from Tim Fairfax AC through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Jonathan Jones

The development of the RAP has been an organisation-wide endeavour: more than 110 staff members contributed to a workshop facilitated to reflect on our reconciliation journey so far and set aspirations for future improvement, and a staff Reconciliation Working Group will continue to drive and champion the outcomes. We want to recognise and empower Indigenous peoples and be open to truth-telling in the way we collect, display, care for and share our art holdings.

Implementation of the RAP will increase our connections with Indigenous communities, create more employment and economic opportunities, and champion the representation of First Australians.

Actions planned across the RAP’s three core pillars, Relationships, Respect and Opportunities, include:

  • Meeting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations across the state to develop guiding principles for future engagement
  • Developing an Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property protocols policy informed by liaison with artists and communities
  • Implementing a cultural learning strategy for all staff
  • Increasing the percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff employed in our workforce
  • Encouraging private and corporate philanthropic support for First Australian art acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, programs and employment

The Gallery’s vision for reconciliation is an Australia that respects and elevates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, creativity, knowledge, customs and cultures, and promotes equality, equity and positive engagement.

In the spirit of reconciliation and with a desire to empower First Australians, QAGOMA will address the historical underrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the country’s first creators, artists and storytellers. QAGOMA acknowledges that reconciliation is achieved through the cooperative efforts of all Australians. Through art, we will work to achieve equity, truth-telling, justice, and respectful, thoughtful engagement, both in the Gallery and across the state.

Tony Albert

Tony Albert, Girramay/Yidinyji/Kuku Yalanji peoples b.1981 / Moving the line 2018 / Vintage playing cards, coasters and matchboxes mounted on board / 163.5 x 134cm (comp., irreg.) / Commissioned 2018 with funds from the Future Collection through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2018 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Tony Albert

Read more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ArtKnow Brisbane through the QAGOMA Collection / Delve into our Queensland Stories or Australian Art highlights / Subscribe to QAGOMA YouTube

Reconciliation Action Plan
Reconciliation Australia defines an Innovate RAP as developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, engaging staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and developing and piloting innovative strategies to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Acknowledgment of Country
The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Gallery stands in Brisbane. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present and, in the spirit of reconciliation, acknowledge the immense creative contribution First Australians make to the art and culture of this country.

It is customary in many Indigenous communities not to mention the name or reproduce photographs of the deceased. All such mentions and photographs are with permission, however, care and discretion should be exercised.

Featured image detail: Tony Albert Moving the line 2018
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