culture

Fiona Foley’s groundbreaking new book Biting the Clouds traces a hidden colonial history of addiction and slavery. “None of the information in this book was ever taught to me in a classroom setting … We have no critical race studies in the curriculum in this country.”

Lindy Lee’s powerful MCA retrospective demonstrates both her artistic strength and her vulnerability.

In his first interview since his appointment, celebrated Colombian curator José Roca speaks about bringing a sense of radical urgency to his new role. “I intend to look for practices that are already under way and let the biennale be a catalyst for the process. One of my guiding principles is to build upon what is already built.”

A retrospective of Nyapanyapa Yunupiŋu’s work at Darwin’s Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory demonstrates the range of her luminous art.

Last month one of the enduring figures of the Australian art world, John Nixon, died. “From the beginning of his career, Nixon remained an artist who believed in the ideal of a perpetual avant-garde.”

The AGNSW’s online show Hyper-linked has its rewards but also reveals the perils of rushing art online in a global emergency.

For Amala Groom, making art is a collaboration between herself and her Wiradyuri ancestors. Drawing on her history and culture, as well as her legal training, she seeks to subvert the colonial project. “Colonialism affects all of us … To be change agents we have to be inclusive, and Aboriginal culture is inclusive.”

Focusing on the perspectives of First Nations artists from Australia and around the world, the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, NIRIN, invites audiences to fight for greater justice and equality. It’s a triumph.

Using glass as a medium, Yhonnie Scarce makes art that testifies to the trauma enacted on Aboriginal people and communities. She speaks about travelling to memorial sites around the world and the importance of truth-telling. “I don’t like being lied to … They were setting off bombs, and they knew there were blackfullas around in that area, but they didn’t care.”