Tony Albert

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.