Curating NIRIN, the 22nd Biennale of Sydney

Link to join the seminar on Teams

Abstract: The 22nd Biennale of Sydney (2020), titled NIRIN, was an artist- and First Nations-led exhibition of contemporary art that connected local communities and global networks. Meaning edge, NIRIN is a word from Brook’s mother’s Nation, the Wiradjuri people of western New South Wales.

Seven themes inspired NIRIN: Dhaagun (‘earth’: sovereignty and working together); Bagaray-Bang (‘healing’); Yirawy-Dhuray (‘yam-connection’: food); Gurray (‘transformation’); Muriguwal Giiland (‘different stories’); Ngawal-Guyungan (‘powerful ideas’: the power of objects); and Bila (‘river’: environment).

“The urgent states of our contemporary lives are laden with unresolved past anxieties and hidden layers of the supernatural. NIRIN (edge) is about to expose this, demonstrating that artists and creatives have the power to resolve, heal, dismember and imagine futures of transformation for re-setting the world. Sovereignty is at the centre of these actions. I hope that NIRIN gathers life forces of integrity to push through often impenetrable noise.” Brook Andrew.

In this seminar, Brook will discuss how the themes of NIRIN were addressed in the artists selected and their works, as well as his presentation at NIRIN of a 3D printed version of a tree carving from New South Wales currently on display the Pitt Rivers Museum.


Pitt Rivers Museum Research Seminar in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology, Hilary 2021

Online on Teams (the link is above)

Fridays, 12pm-1.30pm (Weeks 1-2, 4-6, 8)

Convened by Christopher Morton and David Zeitlyn