ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Tony Albert's 'Not a Souvenir' at MCA Sydney Confronts Racist Aboriginalia

exhibition · 2026-05-19

On May 21, Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art will unveil a new exhibition by artist Tony Albert, titled 'Not a Souvenir.' This showcase will feature over 3,000 artifacts termed 'Aboriginalia,' which represent clichéd portrayals of Indigenous cultures created by non-Indigenous artists. Visitors are encouraged to contribute similar items to Albert's Brisbane studio. A member of the Girramay, Yidinji, and Kuku-Yalanji peoples, Albert created the term 'Aboriginalia' in his twenties. The display will also present a dedicated room containing more than 450 boomerangs and art pieces emblazoned with statements like 'NOT A SOUVENIR,' as Albert seeks to foster empowerment through his work.

Key facts

  • Tony Albert's solo exhibition 'Not a Souvenir' opens at MCA Sydney on 21 May.
  • Over 3,000 items from Albert's 'Aboriginalia' collection are showcased.
  • The public is invited to donate items to Albert's collection.
  • Albert coined the term 'Aboriginalia' in his 20s.
  • He was the inaugural First Nations curatorial fellow for the 2024 Biennale of Sydney.
  • He served as artistic director of the 2025 National Indigenous Art Triennial.
  • In December 2025, he was named a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture.
  • The exhibition includes a text work with nearly 450 letters describing the objects as 'PAINFUL REPRESENTATIONS'.

Entities

Artists

  • Tony Albert
  • Margaret Preston
  • Bruce Johnson McLean
  • David C Collins
  • Renisha Ward-Yates
  • Brittany Malbunka Reid
  • Rebecca Ray
  • Richard Bell
  • Vernon Ah Kee
  • Nell
  • Iluwanti Ken
  • Richard Lewer
  • Debbie Millman
  • Virginia Trioli
  • Suzanne Cotter

Institutions

  • Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Sydney
  • Biennale of Sydney
  • Fondation Cartier
  • National Indigenous Art Triennial
  • French Ministry of Culture
  • Griffith University
  • Queensland Art Gallery
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales
  • Archibald Prize
  • Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
  • Sullivan+Strumpf
  • Fremantle Arts Centre
  • Warakurna Artists
  • Creative Australia
  • proppaNOW
  • Jane Lombard Prize for Art and Social Justice
  • ABC
  • ArtsHub
  • ScreenHub
  • Les Rencontres d'Arles
  • Powerhouse Parramatta
  • Tarnanthi
  • Venice Biennale

Locations

  • Sydney
  • Australia
  • Brisbane
  • Townsville
  • Cardwell
  • north Queensland
  • Northern Territory
  • Tallawoladah
  • Sydney Harbour
  • Campbells Cove
  • Meanjin
  • Circular Quay
  • Uluru
  • Warakurna
  • Fremantle
  • Arles
  • France
  • Adelaide
  • Parramatta

Sources