In 1967 a Federal referendum was held asking Australians whether two references in the constitution which discriminated against Aboriginal people should be removed. One of the references slated for change stated that ‘in reckoning the numbers of the people of the Commonwealth, or of a State or other part of the Commonwealth, aboriginal (sic) natives should not be counted.’ 90.77% of respondents voted for change – the highest YES vote ever recorded in a Federal referendum. The YES font featured in my work was used in advertising and promotional material prior to the referendum during a period when momentum for political change within Indigenous affairs was growing. Fifty years on from the 1967 referendum, this country and its Government still have a long way to go in recognizing and restoring the rights of the traditional owners of this land. – Reko Rennie
Ash Keating
Reko Rennie
7 – 10 September 2017
Sydney Contemporary
BLACKARTPROJECTS
Carriageworks
Eveleigh, Sydney, Australia