Artist in Residence: Gordon Hookey

Witness art and activism on display with Museum of Brisbane’s Artist in Residence, renowned Waanyi artist Gordon Hookey, in action at MoB until February 26, 2023.

The prolific poster collector has recreated his Yeronga studio in MoB's Adelaide Street Pavilion, allowing the public to take a front row seat to his inspiration.

Drawing from a collection almost four decades in the making, Gordon has created a visually arresting collage installation of posters where the subject matter ranges from protest banners and social justice issues to international iconography and pop culture.

The Brisbane-based artist started his poster collection as a student at The University of Queensland in 1983, amassing an expansive compilation over the years that serves as an eye-catching cacophony overladen with nuance.

Examining where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal art converge is at the root of Gordon’s practice, which manifests as bold, graphic presentations that demand attention.

His work is known for its biting satire of Australian culture and politics, witty critique of racism, and exploration of oral and visual history-making traditions, combining figurative characters, iconic symbols, bold comic-style text and vibrant colours.

Through this idiosyncratic language, Gordon has developed an immediately recognisable style that has seen his work displayed in major Australian collections, including Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, UQ Art Museum, Art Gallery of Western Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Australian National University, National Gallery of Victoria, and the University of Technology Sydney, as well as significant private collections.

MoB’s thought-provoking residency offers an intimate perspective of the artist in his studio, challenging perceptions, questioning hierarchies, and skewering the status of the elite while boosting the position of those marginalised in society.

As Artist in Residence, Gordon will be in attendance at the Museum on Tuesdays and Thursdays, allowing visitors to witness his creativity in action, draw inspiration from his impressive poster compilation, stop to have a yarn and perhaps even help the artist add to the collection.

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