BLAK DOUGLAS

Blak Douglas sharply and poignantly tackles the issues relating to human rights and justice for First Nation people in Australia today.

Blak Douglas was born Adam Douglas Hill at Blacktown, Western Sydney in 1970 to a Dhungatti Aboriginal Father and an Irish/Australian Mother.

He trained in illustration & photography, became self – practised in painting. In 1994 BA Graphic Design University of Western Sydney, NSW. Blak Douglas today is a multidisciplinary artist with painting, sculpture and installation.

Blak Douglas is a multi-award winning artist, capturing the interest of collectors and curators, he regularly exhibits professionally in Australia and abroad.

A multiple Archibald finalist, Blak Douglas was winner of the 2022 Archibald Prize and the National Still Life 2021, Coffs Harbour Gallery, and in 2019 winner of the prestigious Kilgour Prize at the Newcastle Art Gallery. He has been a finalist in numerous other major art prizes including the Wynne Prize, Blake Prize, Mosman Art Prize, Paddington Art Prize.

Blak Douglas has been selected for collections: Art Gallery of NSW, National Gallery of Australia, National Australian Museum, National Maritime Museum, Sydney Town Hall Collection and various Municipal Council collections.

A classically trained Yidaki (didgeridoo) player, he was mentored by traditional Yolngu Town teachers from North East Arnhem Land. Douglas has performed nationally and internationally accompanying the likes of Christine Anu, Jessica Mauboy, and Peter Sculthorpe. Major events have included Australian Idol, The Deadly’s, The Rugby World Cup opening ceremony, and the welcome for Nelson Mandela. Page 14 : Moby Dickens, H3m x W2m , Synthetic polymer on linen , Edition 1, Provenance Archibald Prize 2022. Blak Douglas.

“His portrait of Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens, who lives on Bundjalung Country in Lismore, is a metaphor for the terrible floods that hit northern NSW in early 2022. The title references the 1851 novel Moby Dick, by Herman Melville. Karla is Moby - a strong, prized figure pursued by foreign combatants. The rising muddied waters are a symbol of the artist’s position within the art world - unchartered and ominous.”

Blak Swans, synthetic polymer on linen, edition 1, Blak Douglas 2021.

“The 2020 Blak Swan series is the result of just one of my emotional responses to the #blaklivesmatter phenomenon.”Blak Douglas.