Entering the first-ever retrospective exhibition of Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie’s expansive work is like stepping into a colour-saturated graffiti-influenced essay on the lasting impacts of colonisation. Rekospective: The Art of Reko Rennie showcases works from the artist’s career spanning two decades, in the largest display of his work to date. The retrospective also included never before seen bodies of work.
Now showing at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia until January 27 2025, this free exhibition consists of mostly autobiographical works which explore Rennie’s experience navigating contemporary so-called Australian society as a First Nations person. Expect bold colours, graffiti-like elements and contemporary references, all underpinned by traditional Kamilaroi designs and patterns.
Since starting out as a street artist, Rennie has gone on to exhibit at the 2015 Venice Biennale and the 2016 Biennale de Cuenca, becoming known for his subversion of romanticised Aboriginal identities.
Highlights of the exhibition include a Rolls Royce covered in pink and black camouflage, a 15-metre-wide light sculpture created in response to the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s landfall, and a three-channel film with an operatic score called Initiation OA_RR.
Find out more about Reko Rennie, his story and this exhibition at the NGV website.
