Regalia presented as a political statement about the original custodians and royalty of Australia – the Aboriginal people.
The artwork features a repetitive pattern of three symbols: a crown, a diamond and the Aboriginal flag. The crown symbolises sovereignty while paying homage to the origins of Rennie’s practice. It poses a statement about Aboriginal people being the lawful sovereigns of Australia, rather than the rule of the Commonwealth.
The diamond reflects acknowledgement of my family and ancestral connections to the Kamilaroi/Gamilaroi people. It represents the ceremonial markings, similar to a family crest. Finally, the Aboriginal flag, which is illustrated as a graffiti tag, pays tribute to all Aboriginal people, from urban to remote environments.
9 May – 22 November 2015
Personal Structures
56th Venice Biennale
Palazzo Mora
Strada Nuova
Venice, Italy