I, object

Michael Boiyool Anning / Yidinyji people / Australia QLD b.1955 / Rainforest shield (hand-held fish net design) and sword, 2000-01 / Purchased 2001. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Boiyool Anning

This exhibition has past

17 Aug 2024  13 Oct 2024

I, object

Michael Boiyool Anning / Yidinyji people / Australia QLD b.1955 / Rainforest shield (hand-held fish net design) and sword, 2000-01 / Purchased 2001. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Michael Boiyool Anning

DatesSaturday 17 August 2024 to Sunday 13 October 2024
(This exhibition has past)
Timesopen daily, 10am - 5pm
CostFREE
BookingBookings are not required to visit the exhibition Opening Event: 17 August 2024 | 5:30pm - 7:30pm *RSVPs ESSENTIAL | booking link below*
Ageall ages welcome

Contemporary and historical works from the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Indigenous Australian Art collection.

I, object considers the many complex relationships Aboriginal Australian artists continue to have with objects – from the histories informing their creation to the social and cultural consequences of their collection. 

The exhibition demonstrates the great pride and inspiration of inherited cultural practices and historical Aboriginal objects, and reveals the difficulties posed by their collection and estrangement.

I, object features contemporary painting, sculpture, and installation by leading Queensland artists Vernon Ah Kee, Tony Albert, Michael Boiyool Anning, Fiona Foley, Danie Mellor, Christian Thompson, Warraba Weatherall and others alongside 20 historical shields, boomerangs and clubs.

Exhibition Resources

I, object Room Brochure

Click to open the PDF

I, object Education Resource

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Cultural sensitivity warning

We would like to respectfully advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers that this resource contains images and references to the deceased, references to massacres and mentions of derogatory language.

Guided Tours
free gallery program

Guided Tours

I, object

Discover the stories behind the art as our knowledgeable guides lead you through the exhibition.

Naomi Hobson / Kaantju/Umpila peoples / Australia QLD b. 1978 / A Warrior without a Weapon (series) 2018 / Digital photographic print on paper ed. 1/6 (+ 2 A.P.) / Ten sheets, various sizes / Purchased 2019 with funds from the Future Collective through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Naomi Hobson

Vernon Ah Kee / Kuku Yalanji/Waanyi/Yidinyji/Guugu Yimithirr people / Australia QLD b.1967 / neither pride nor courage 2006 / Charcoal, crayon and synthetic polymer paint on canvas Triptych: 174 x 240cm (each panel) / The James C. Sourris AM Collection. Gift of James C. Sourris through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2007. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Vernon Ah Kee

Tony Albert / Girramay/Yidinyji/Kuku Yalanji peoples / Australia QLD b.1981 / whiteWASH 2018 / Vintage ashtrays on vinyl lettering / 208.5 x 255cm (installed) / Purchased 2018. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Tony albert

Alair Pambegan / Wik-Mungkan people / Australia QLD b. 1966 / Kalben (detail) 2016-17 / Carved wood with synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments, raffia / 107 pieces ranging from 14 to 41cm in length (excluding raffia); installed dimensions variable / Purchased 2017. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Art / © Alair Pambegan

A touring exhibition from Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

A touring exhibition from Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art