This weeks lecture is probably going to be the hardest to
discuss. Aboriginal art – What exactly can I say without coming across as being
rude or potentially racist?
Let’s just say that within my 20 years of life, Aboriginal
art has become an art form that I have become very familiar with. Not to say that all aboriginal art looks the
same, but we all recognise the traditional colours and ideas that are portrayed
within this style of work. However, what is different within this weeks lecture
is the way artist Tony Albert approached this particular category. Work such as
Pay Attention Mother Fuckers, is one that speaks out to me most.
As someone who categorises Aboriginal art to portray the
traditional style of this category such as the typical yellow, red, black and
browns it is enlightening that Albert notes this in his line of work,
explaining to the audience to understand Aboriginal artist as individuals
instead of just Aboriginal artists.
However, what made this lecture so full of emotions that I
did not expect to be expressed that day, was the amount of anger an emotion
Albert exerted (to the point where I thought I was going to see my first crying
artist). There was so much emotional anger that Albert had against the
treatment of Aboriginal teenagers and the population in general, that it is
difficult to take note of his actual work, or this lecture for a matter of
fact. Although Albert's work is one that is interesting and unique, it was as if
I was listening to an essay written by someone who is simply too angry.
