Fire 2
1989
Medium
synthetic polymer paint on canvas, bark, feathers
Measurements
110.0 × 240.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through the NGV Foundation by Dr James Rowe, Governor, 2002
© Estate of Lin Onus/Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
Gallery location
Gallery 1
Ground Level, NGV Australia
About this work
Lin Onus’s Fire 2 depicts a forest of river red gums each adorned with rarrk (crosshatched) designs, underscoring a First Nations understanding of fire as a powerful natural element necessary for cleansing and healing Country. Fire 2 was inspired by the artist’s experience working as a volunteer firefighter and his observations of controlled burns undertaken to promote the regeneration of bushland. Traditional Custodians have carried out seasonal burns across the country for millennia. Fire 2 highlights the important role of Indigenous knowledges in land management and the fight against climate change.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Upwey, Melbourne, Victoria
Inscription
inscribed in red paint l.r.: Lin Onus
Accession Number
2002.140
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation