We Can Be Heroes

Richard Bell and Emory Douglas’ collaborative project brings into conversation their respective art practices along with the Indigenous rights movements of Australia and the Black Power movement of America.

The controversial Bell is one of Australia's most renowned Indigenous artists. With a penchant for sarcasm he explores stereotypes and racism through his self-titled 'Liberation art'. Douglas may be considered in a similar vein as the Minister of Culture in the Black Panther Party who was also the art director, designer and main illustrator for the The Black Panther newspaper, creating iconic images that represented the struggles in America during the 1960s and 1970s.

'We Can Be Heroes' 2014 depicts the moment during the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games when Australian sprinter, Peter Norman stood in solidarity with African American sportsmen Tommie Smith and John Carlos to protest discrimination and inequality. Although Norman is remembered as an important advocate of civil rights within America, he remains relatively forgotten within Australian history.