We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

James Powditch The banality of evil (Manus)

mixed media

121 x 124 cm

The repeated image is of Manus Island, from the cover of a Walkabout: Australian Geographical Magazine from 1952. My intent was to create a colourful yet banal holiday destination poster. This is how our government and certain sections of the media have often tried to portray conditions in our offshore detention centres despite the UN describing them as immensely harmful, alarming and torturous. Most of us agree, considering them downright un-Australian and evil.

James Powditch, 2018