Damien Minton Gallery

Blak Douglas (aka- Adam Hill)

Born and raised on Booreberongal (Dharug) country. ‘Blaktown’-‘Penrith’. The Aboriginal genealogy though -Dhungatti with bloodline traced to the mid – north coast of ‘NSW’. Dominant European ancestry- Scottish. Schooled in the same region ultimately attaining a BA (Graphic Design) at the University of Western Sydney, Nepean.

Yidaki (didgeridoo) became a life long pursuit after first meeting the Yolngu family from where my ultimate cultural learnings would stem. Gracious opportunities arose seeing my performances travelling through Canada, Italy, South America, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Japan. More locally, resident performer Yirribana Gallery (AGNSW), performances for the Deadly’s, Australian Idol, Nelson & Mandalla Mendela, the Rugby World Cup Opening, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival and Schools far and wide. Cultural mentoring channelled through NAISDA, Bangarra and Mathew Doyle and Albert David.

Intorduction to Visual Arts stem from observing famous Commercial Art Uncles the Brown Brothers and then through personal encounters with senior Papunya Tula artists and later, John Olsen. Staging the first major solo by a Koori artist from my home – town was met with surprising reception. The divergence into visual art thereafter, began after receiving the Mil-Pra art award (Casula) 1999. Shortly after, the Blacktown Art Prize, the finals of the TELSTRA, Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize and the Wynne Prize. Works have become inter/nationally collected by private collectors and- National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, National Maritime Museum, AAMU (Netherlands), Taiwan Museum and Liverpool, Blacktown and City of Sydney City Councils and Parliament of NSW.

Largely, the style has been known as landscape interpretations flavoured with distinct messages on social justice and political commentary. More recently though I’ve experienced the personal freedom of polishing genres including photography, sculpture and drawing. 
BD, 2014.

Education

1989Jamison High School (Penrith)1994BA Graphic Design, University of Western Sydney

Solo exhibitions

2012ONEinFOUR, Damien Minton Gallery, Redfern2010Not a proper Aborigine, ‘10yr Survey’, Mosman Art GalleryCaste-ing Call, Harrison Galleries, PaddingtonI’m not racist but, Arc One Gallery, Melbourne2009A Colony of Terrors, Harrison Galleries, Paddington2008This is why we don’t stand for the anthem, Arc One, Melbourne100 x 5 x7 = me ², Washhouse Gallery, Rozelle2007Not for the Faint Hearted, Arc One, Melbourne2006A sign of the crimes, Mori Gallery, Sydney2005Hand Some Returns, Birrung Gallery, LeichardtDingo On, Washhouse Gallery, Sydney2004Whitewashed, TAP Gallery, DarlinghurstThe Outskirts of Town, Canberra Grammar School2003Progression, Walkabout Gallery, Newtown, Sydney2002Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith2000 Eora Scapes, The Studio, Sydney Opera House1999Mananura Aboriginal Arts Coop, Jamisontown

Group exhibitions

2012Almost, Damien Minton Gallery, RedfernSculpture by the Sea, Tamarama Beach2 X 2 Adam Hill / Hugh Ramage, South Hill Gallery,  NAIDOC @ Seymour Centre, Boomalli ArtistsCold Eels & Distant Thoughts, Monash Gallery of ArtWarrami, Peacock Gallery, Auburn