Close Contact

This display takes its inspiration from the two Ramsay Art Prize 2019 prize-winning works – Vincent Namatjira’s Close Contact and Pierre Mukeba’s Ride to Church. By positioning these works alongside key historical and contemporary art from the Gallery’s collection, this display connects artists across time who have negotiated the complex histories of the occupation of Australia, Africa and New Zealand.

Alongside collection favourites such as Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux’s sculpture Why born a slave? (Pourquoi naître esclave?) and new acquisitions, making its AGSA debut is Daniel Boyd’s monumental diptych Untitled (TBOMB). This painting is the first by an Aboriginal artist to be acquired through the James & Diana Ramsay Fund – also the generous supporter of the Ramsay Art Prize.