Ponun - death (to our culture)
1999
Medium
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
Measurements
122.0 × 137.1 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1999
© John Packham
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
John Packham was born in 1966 and has spent most of his life on Ngarrindjeri country. As a contemporary Aboriginal man, Packham utilises painting to link himself to the traditions and history of his people. In this work, the artist depicts a missionary drilling through the spirit of an Aboriginal person. The sky is filled with animated clouds, expressing outrage at the widespread disruption and upheaval of First Nations cultures caused by colonisation, missionisation and dispersal. ‘With the clearing of the land and killing of our native animals came the loss of our hunting skills,’ says Packham, ‘thus driving the stake through the very soul of our culture. What more can I say?’
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Encounter Bay, Victor Harbour, South Australia
Inscription
inscribed in brown paint l.r.: J. PACKHAM
Accession Number
1999.333
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation