How a regional race riot from the 1860s is impacting artists today
Australia’s first race riot has an uncanny parallel to contemporary narratives, which are fleshed out in a new exhibition at 4A exploring alternatives to the violent re-telling of history.
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Visual Arts
Installation view of John Young Zerunge’s video, The Burrangong Affray, at 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Arts, Sydney (2018). Photo: ArtsHub.
When we think of race riots in Australia, the first point of reference is usually the Cronulla Riots (2005). But, sadly, violence sparked by a lack of cultural understanding has a much longer history.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
