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First Nations Artists on the Voice

ArtsHub asks a range of First Nations artists and creatives to share their thoughts on the upcoming referendum.

19 Jun 2023

Angelina Hurley

All Arts

Amala GROOM ‘It’s Time’, 2023, synthetic polymer paint on vintage reproduction print, 65 x 97 x 3cm. Image: Courtesy of the artist. This artwork was made in consultation with and written support from ‘You’re the Voice’ songwriters: Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid and Maggie Ryder, and the estate of Tom Roberts.

The recent announcement from the Australia Government for a national referendum has First Nations people talking. Taking place between October and December 2023, the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum is about constitutional change. The voices of First Nations people in Australia come from approximately 500 sovereign countries within the continent (AIATSIS, 2022), with the complexity of numerous opinions, viewpoints and perspectives.

Historically out of 19 referendums held in Australia, it is only the second to address the better representation of First Nations people. As Australia gears for its 20th referendum, a survey of 50 First Nations artists/creatives across media provided thoughts around the support for and the necessity, meaning and impact of the voice from their creative perspectives.

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Angelina Hurley

Angelina Hurley is an Aboriginal woman from Brisbane. Her heritage is of Jagera, Gooreng Gooreng, Mununjali, Birriah and Kamilaroi descent. She is the daughter of renowned Aboriginal visual artist Ron Hurley. For more than 20 years, Hurley has worked in Indigenous arts, education and community cultural development. In 2011, Angelina was awarded the Australian-American Fulbright Commission’s Indigenous Scholarship.