Blak Douglas paints NSW Parliament with Blak faces in new exhibition

Portraits of Blak icons like Uncle Max Eulo, Christine Anu, Uncle Roy Kennedy, and Brooke Boney stand in stark contrast to those of judges and colonial imagery.

Blak Douglas' exhibition showcases paintings that he has entered into the Archibald Prize over the past decade – including two artworks selected as Finalists.

Dunghutti man Blak Douglas, one of the country's best-loved artists, has officially inaugurated the "My Face Value" portrait exhibition at the New South Wales Parliament, held within the historic Fountain Court Gallery.

The exhibition, which is free to the public, celebrates the cultural contributions and achievements of prominent First Nations figures, including Uncle Max Eulo, Christine Anu, Uncle Roy Kennedy, and Brooke Boney.

Showcasing several paintings that Blak Douglas has entered into the Archibald Prize over the past decade, it includes two works that were selected as finalists in the prestigious competition, along with pieces that had not been seen publicly before.

"What’s historic about this is that the public gets to see successive years of works that I’d entered up until winning the prize in 2022," he said.

Portraits of Uncle Max Eulo and Christine Anu are part of the exhibition.

"The portraits of Christine Anu and Brooke Boney ... it's the first time they've been seen in the public domain," he said.

Blak Douglas also highlighted the significance of having Blak portraits in Parliament, in stark contrast to the portraits of judges and colonial imagery, such as the First Fleet and Captain Cook.

"There haven’t been too many Blak faces on these walls in the course of history," he told NITV.

The exhibition is an opportunity to see Blak Douglas' unique and distinct style up close.

"When you walk into this establishment here, you see judges and parliamentarians ... there aren’t too many Blak faces.

"These portraits are not just paintings; they represent significant cultural figures, and tonight we are creating history by having them displayed here," he said.

The exhibition also marks a historic first in Archibald Prize history, as Blak Douglas is the only finalist or winner to have their successive years of entries displayed in one place.

"I just hope that for our mob, they start making portraits of their old people to remember them ... their nans, their pops, their uncles," he said.

The exhibition, hosted at the NSW Parliament, is an invitation to the public to engage with Indigenous art in a space that is not usually associated with such representation.

It serves as a significant milestone in the recognition and celebration of Indigenous artists and culture, and provides an unprecedented opportunity to see Blak Douglas' work up close.