Past exhibitions

Tommy McRae Spearing the kangaroo c1880s-c1890s, Art Gallery of NSW collection, purchased 2004

Celebrates the Aboriginal culture of south-east Australia by exploring one particular strand of Koori art practice – the use of line by male artists

Being a foundation to Koori men’s work, and its most dominant feature, the line can be traced through the generations – a clear cultural tradition that has endured massive change.

By bringing together artworks dating from pre-contact to today, including shields, paintings and works on paper, by artists such as William Barak, Tommy McRae, Roy Kennedy, HJ Wedge, Steaphan Paton and Reko Rennie, this groundbreaking exhibition shows that – while ideas, images and practices have been translated over time – the use of line has remained.

The exhibition is part of a University of Technology, Sydney research project.