Zane Saunders Stages 'Preface' Performance Installation at PUNQ 2026 in Townsville

At the PUNQ 2026 arts festival in Townsville, Zane Saunders, an artist from Jarrowia, Butchulla, and Gunggari backgrounds, introduced his installation titled Preface. This artwork spanned multiple connected rooms within a repurposed bank, addressing the tensions between Aboriginal wisdom and colonialism. It comprised nine distinct stations, featuring a prominent red ring with a sheep on a pedestal and an upside-down kangaroo with its joey. Guests were given a dark stone to contribute to a pile within a yellow-taped body outline, evoking a crime scene. Saunders, dressed in Tradie underwear and a sheer crinoline, interacted with attendees. The piece was commissioned by the PUNQ Festival and created in collaboration with Dancenorth, with further tours anticipated. The reviewer attended as a guest of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts.