Dennis Golding | POWER – The Future is Here
POWER – The Future is Here is the result of a collaboration between artist Dennis Golding and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Alexandria Park Community School. The superhero capes were created during a workshop in 2020, led by Golding who was an artist in residence at the school through Solid Ground. Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 designed their capes with iconography informed by their lived experiences and cultural identity.
As superheroes, Golding and his young collaborators are empowered and reminded of the strength of their culture in forming their identity and connection to Country. Individually and together, the capes critique social, political and cultural representations of contemporary First Nations experience. This series of capes were first presented in POWER at Blacktown Arts (2021) and then at Carriageworks in The Future is Here (2021).
Artist Dennis Golding with The Future is Here, 2021, Carriageworks. Image courtesy and © the artist. Photograph Zan Wimberley
About the Artist
Through his artistic and curatorial practice, Dennis Golding aims to present powerful representations of contemporary Aboriginal cultural identity that inform narratives of history and lived experiences. Golding is a Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist from the north west of NSW and was born and raised on Gadigal Land (Redfern, Sydney). Working in a range of mixed media including painting, video, photography and installation, Golding critiques the social, political and cultural representations of race and identity. His practice is drawn from his own experiences living in urban environments and through childhood memories.
Golding was surrounded by art from his urban upbringing living in an Aboriginal community in Redfern (often referred to as ‘The Block’). As a young child, he often watched his mother and grandmother paint on large canvas and sheen fabrics depicting Australian native plants and animals, cultural motifs and human figures.
Before entering his formal art training, Golding worked as an administrative trainee at Nura Gili Indigenous Programs UNSW. He later developed his professional practice in art school through mentorships with leading curators, educators and artists. Golding graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) at UNSW Art & Design in 2019 and now works independently as an artist and curator.
– bio from Artereal Gallery.
About the Curator
Kyra Kum-Sing is a Malera Bandjalan, Mitakoodi woman. Kyra has paved a unique and important path within the arts as both an artist and curator. Kyra is the curator at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative and has curated a number of significant and acclaimed exhibitions.
– bio from Boomali Aboriginal Artist Cooperative
About Solid Ground
Solid Ground provides education, training and employment pathways for Indigenous Australian youth in Redfern, Waterloo and Blacktown. Established in 2015, it is a major initiative from Carriageworks and Blacktown Arts Centre. The program includes three key strands: an Artist-In-Residence Program at select secondary schools, a Tertiary Skills Program and Paid Internships.
Education & Engagement
How to Make a Cape:
A making activity aimed at all learners to accompany Dennis Golding | POWER – The Future is Here. Closed captions are available.
Worksheet: How to Make a Cape
Education Resource:
This education resource has been written by Jaz Corr, Dharawal Visual Artist and Educator, to accompany the touring exhibition POWER – The Future is Here.
Mediation Handbook:
This handbook was developed by M&G NSW with Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM, in partnership with Solid Ground (Carriageworks and Blacktown Arts) to accompany the touring exhibition POWER – The Future is Here.
Itinerary
Batemans Bay Heritage Museum, NSW
29 September – 3 December 2023
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, NSW
15 December 2023 – 10 March 2024
Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery, NSW
23 March – 5 May 2024
Maitland Regional Art Gallery, NSW
6 July – 13 October 2024
Bank Art Museum Moree, NSW
26 October – 7 December 2024
Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW
20 December 2024 – 9 February 2025
Pine Rivers Art Gallery, QLD
22 February – 17 May 2025
Mulga Lands Gallery, Charleville, QLD
30 May – 1 August 2025
Hyphen Wodonga, VIC
19 September – 30 November 2025
South East Centre for Contemporary Art, Bega, NSW
TBC, 2025 – 2026
A Solid Ground project with Dennis Golding and Alexandria Park Community School, curated by Kyra Kum-Sing, presented by Carriageworks and Blacktown Arts, and touring with Museums & Galleries of NSW. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.
