The Baptism of Jesus in the Goulburn River with White Cockatoo
The Baptism of Jesus in the Goulburn River with White Cockatoo, Glenn Loughrey
Acrylic on canvas, 61x91cm, 2018
'This painting represents what the story may have been if we possesses it first. We didn't.'
"My art is an expression of my journey into the story of my family and my mob. It reflects the interaction between the dominant culture and the oldest living culture on this planet. It explores the impact of that interaction from the indigenous point of view with the purpose is to engage, challenge and initiate action leading to unificationand reconciliation.
I use a combination of perspective (a mix of Western and Aboriginal concepts of perspective) and pattern thinking to form the narrative painted using acrylic paints applied by stick one dot or line at a time. The paint is mixed in such a way that it sits out from the canvas creating a tactile 3 dimension to what, from a distance is two-dimensional. Each painting invites the viewer to touch and engage beyond simply being a spectator or observer.
This reflects the idea of pattern thinking; that there are intertwined patterns below, above t and across country. Nothing is one dimensional or even two-dimensional; the past, present and future are interconnected in one place -everywhere when– the place where you are, and in terms of the art piece, on the canvas."
