Initiation
2013
Medium
synthetic polymer paint on plywood
Measurements
(a-oo) 300.0 × 520.0 cm (overall)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Esther and David Frenkiel, 2014
© Reko Rennie, courtesy blackartprojects, Melbourne
Gallery location
Gallery 1
Ground Level, NGV Australia
About this work
Initiation is a mural-scale, multi-panel hoarding that subverts negative stereotypes of Indigenous people living in Australian cities. This declarative, renegade installation work is a psychedelic farrago of street art, bringing together Kamilaroi designs, language, symbols and signals of protest that collectively reckon with the misunderstandings and misconceptions about urban Aborginal idenity and culture. By combining a range of references, including graffiti, advertising, bling, street slogans and Kamilaroi diamond geometry, Reko Rennie creates a monumental spectacle of resistance. As he has explained: ‘This work represents an urban perspective on the theme of initiation, often only discussed in romanticised notions of Aboriginality or misconceived stereotypes.’
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Melbourne, Victoria
Accession Number
2014.41.a-oo
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation