Indigenous artist Tony Albert is making a public callout for so-called 'Aboriginalia' — objects that ostensibly depict Aboriginal people and designs but were created by non-Indigenous people, often in a caricatured or exoticised manner. Albert's own collection of over 3,000 such items is featured in his solo exhibition, Not a Souvenir, opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Sydney on 21 May. The collection includes tea towels, ashtrays, and playing cards, all depicting Indigenous people in stereotypical ways.
Turning Offensive Objects into Art
Albert aims to reclaim these racist artefacts and transform their meaning through art. 'I can use it, I can abuse it,' he said, describing his decades-long effort to collect these items. Now, he is asking the public to contribute their own 'Aboriginalia' for potential inclusion in his work. The exhibition challenges viewers to confront Australia's history of racial stereotyping and the commodification of Indigenous culture.
Exhibition Details
Not a Souvenir runs from 21 May at the MCA in Sydney. It showcases Albert's extensive collection alongside new works that repurpose these objects. The artist encourages Australians to examine their own homes for such items and consider donating them to the project.
