My works are symbols of the changes to contemporary Indigenous visual storytelling, as celebrated now: That the boundaries between European schools vs. Indigenous art, can look as varied as bloodlines now are. Yet, as artworks, the hangover of markets viewing traditional Indigenous works as [expensive] 'native curiosities' still lingers. Especially to do with artworks stemming from regions like Cape York Peninsula, where contemporary expressions (which don’t present as, inherently traditional, Indigenous works of art) are relatively new to the contemporary Indigenous art sector — let alone broader arts industry.
In spite of the changing face of the Australian ecological/societal landscape, our works are still expected to reflect our ‘ancientness’, which is a mode of racism; racialising an aesthetic of who are now mixed-heritage, domestic diaspora. As the oldest living Cultures on Earth, our diversified creative influences and artistic identity is as determined as our ongoing survival.
- Jack Wilkie-Jans
In spite of the changing face of the Australian ecological/societal landscape, our works are still expected to reflect our ‘ancientness’, which is a mode of racism; racialising an aesthetic of who are now mixed-heritage, domestic diaspora. As the oldest living Cultures on Earth, our diversified creative influences and artistic identity is as determined as our ongoing survival.
- Jack Wilkie-Jans
Retailer / Stockist
NorthSite Contemporary Arts are now the exclusive retailer/stockist of genuine Jack Wilkie-Jans artworks!
Either visit their gallery and shop in Gimuy/Cairns on Abbott Street, or head to www.northsite.org.au, to purchase from a limited range of smaller paintings by yours truly.
Either visit their gallery and shop in Gimuy/Cairns on Abbott Street, or head to www.northsite.org.au, to purchase from a limited range of smaller paintings by yours truly.
A Cruel Tutelage, New Collection
Sundown–you better take care, 2024, Jack Wilkie-Jans, Acrylic on Canvas, 60cm x 90cm x 2cm
While I never permit to being cajoled, I sometimes don't consider myself to be a particularly "imaginative" artist; certainly feeling more comfortable working in certain styles or schools of practice. I can be very pragmatic and literal, and so often view my arts practice and writing to be "skills of technique" or "learned behaviour" more than an innate and intrinsic Artistic Urge.
However, over recent months I've had opportunities to create works rather ad-hoc, than in a concentrated effort. I've made the odd short film, too. While never being cajoled, I feel I'm making works just that little more personal and particular to my own tastes.
𝘼 𝘾𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙚 is a developing body of work/collection which I'm assembling without deadline (though, has been optioned for exhibition) and with, quite literally, the only medium I feel comfortable exploring fiction (in subject stylisation, that is).
𝘼 𝘾𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙚 will grow to become a multi-art form, critical exploration of the pains of losing control of Country, being displaced from Homelands, of the continuous evil machinations afoot by governments and warlords... and of having to learn and live with it. It will also explore images of horror and the supernatural.
It’s a thing to remember, the sunsets of home... The comings of nights not scary, the dying beacon of a day leading into a night with no wolves at the door and no machines tearing down our trees, torches burning our homes, or guns shooting our men, or men raping our women, or ute tyres screeching off into the distance with a tray full of stolen babies, or fleeing suitcases of carpetbagged art paid for in tobacco, wine, hate, and betrayal... The new dawn is my true fate, one I share with all my people.
However, over recent months I've had opportunities to create works rather ad-hoc, than in a concentrated effort. I've made the odd short film, too. While never being cajoled, I feel I'm making works just that little more personal and particular to my own tastes.
𝘼 𝘾𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙚 is a developing body of work/collection which I'm assembling without deadline (though, has been optioned for exhibition) and with, quite literally, the only medium I feel comfortable exploring fiction (in subject stylisation, that is).
𝘼 𝘾𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙚 will grow to become a multi-art form, critical exploration of the pains of losing control of Country, being displaced from Homelands, of the continuous evil machinations afoot by governments and warlords... and of having to learn and live with it. It will also explore images of horror and the supernatural.
It’s a thing to remember, the sunsets of home... The comings of nights not scary, the dying beacon of a day leading into a night with no wolves at the door and no machines tearing down our trees, torches burning our homes, or guns shooting our men, or men raping our women, or ute tyres screeching off into the distance with a tray full of stolen babies, or fleeing suitcases of carpetbagged art paid for in tobacco, wine, hate, and betrayal... The new dawn is my true fate, one I share with all my people.