Tony Albert and MCA Australia launch national donation drive for Aboriginalia
Renowned artist Tony Albert, in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia), has initiated the Aboriginalia Appeal. This national fundraising campaign coincides with the debut of his significant solo exhibition, Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir. Since his youth, Albert has gathered 'Aboriginalia'—commercially made items showcasing caricatures of Indigenous peoples and cultural motifs—to delve into themes of Australian history and identity. The appeal invites contributions of such objects, including ashtrays, tea towels, and boomerangs, highlighting the commercialization and distortion of Indigenous cultures. Notably, some pieces were crafted by Aboriginal entrepreneurs like Bill Onus and Jimmy Pik. Both the exhibition and the appeal aim to foster dialogue around these intricate histories.
Key facts
- Tony Albert and MCA Australia launched the Aboriginalia Appeal.
- The appeal coincides with Albert's solo exhibition 'Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir'.
- Albert has collected Aboriginalia since childhood.
- Aboriginalia includes mass-produced objects with Indigenous caricatures.
- Items range from ashtrays to tea towels and boomerangs.
- Some objects were made by Aboriginal entrepreneurs Bill Onus and Jimmy Pik.
- The appeal is a national donation drive.
- The exhibition addresses commodification and misrepresentation of Indigenous cultures.
Entities
Artists
- Tony Albert
- Bill Onus
- Jimmy Pik
Institutions
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia)
Locations
- Australia