The Second Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia, 1996 : Report

PACIFIC AUSTRALIA Campfire Group presented a collective performance-installation event that involved a large number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian artists. A dysfunctional cattle truck was parked outside the Gallery entrance offering for sale a unique variety of Aboriginal artworks and souvenirs. As the title of the project suggests, All Stock Must Go! The outside event highlighted the institutionalised approach to art by creating a contrast with the exhibition inside the Gallery, and explored the commodification of indigenous culture. The truck was used as a metaphor for physical and cultural displacement and also referred to the monetary market of Aboriginal art especially at international tourists attractions, such as Alice Springs. Cattle-truck full of Aboriginal Art. Big names, small names, no names Selling Direct to the Public! Open everyday 1 0am - 5pm. September 27 - January 1 9, 1 997 Collaboration across the nation ! Massive Clearance Sale! Producing and selling art in a 'black market' atmosphere '90% of urban artists in Queensland alone work in a cash market outside museums' BUY ABOR IGI NAL ART and you will be part of the Asia-Pacific Triennial! It's that easy! Credit cards welcome Bankcard Mastercard , Visa. . . but Cash is King ! I A fistful of dollars. It's bread and butter stuff you know! The artists are cultural brokers in transactions across cultural boundaries. (extract from artists' statement) Destiny Deacon has gained national and international recognition for her powerful photographs. These combine popular imagery and a sophisticated sense of 'blak' humour to explore aspects of the relations between I ndigenous and non-I ndigenous Australian people. The installation My living-room in Brunswick, 3056 is an elaboration on this theme. The work is a re-creation of the artist's suburban Melbourne l iving room that she also uses as her studio. The work incorporates pieces of racist kitsch , collected over a number of years, objects from everyday life , and a number o f Destiny Deacon's art works - bringing together the ingredients and finished product of her art. All elements came from the artist's home and were transported to Brisbane by the artist for the 1 996 Triennial. 24