Christian Thompson's 'Dead Tongue' on View at Newcastle Art Gallery
The Newcastle Art Gallery in New South Wales is showcasing Christian Thompson's video piece 'Dead Tongue' (2015) as part of its inaugural long-term collection display, 'Iconic Loved Unexpected.' This work features Thompson performing in the endangered Bidjara language. Born in Gawler, South Australia, in 1978, Thompson initially trained as a sculptor but now creates in photography, video, and performance. He earned a PhD from Trinity College, University of Oxford, and received mentorship from Marina Abramović during the Kaldor Public Art Project. 'Dead Tongue,' which runs for 3:32 minutes, was first shown in Melbourne in 2015 and was donated to the gallery in 2021. The gallery reopened in February following a significant expansion.
Key facts
- Christian Thompson's video 'Dead Tongue' (2015) is on display at Newcastle Art Gallery.
- The work is part of the exhibition 'Iconic Loved Unexpected'.
- Thompson sings in the Bidjara language, an endangered language.
- Thompson was born in 1978 in Gawler, South Australia.
- He was an inaugural recipient of the Charles Perkins Scholarship.
- He completed a PhD in fine art at Trinity College, University of Oxford.
- 'Dead Tongue' was developed in 2015 as part of the Kaldor Public Art Project mentored by Marina Abramović.
- The work was donated to Newcastle Art Gallery through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program in 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Thompson
- Marina Abramović
- Bronwyn Watson
Institutions
- Newcastle Art Gallery
- University of Oxford
- Trinity College
- Kaldor Public Art Project
- Koorie Heritage Trust
- Royal Australian Air Force
- Art Almanac
Locations
- Barcaldine
- Queensland
- Gawler
- South Australia
- Sydney
- Oxford
- England
- Melbourne
- New South Wales
- Australia