3 September—29 October 2022

Brisbane-based artist Ryan Presley presents a collection of paintings that challenge the ongoing treatment of Aboriginal people in Australia.

Fresh Hell is an uncompromising take on the connection of religion and economic control to colonialism and empire building. Known for his use of stark hues and artful questioning of history, Ryan explores the impact of colonial and postcolonial power in the lives of Aboriginal Australians both past and present.

Ryan draws his inspiration from his own mixed heritage experience, being both Scandinavian and Marri Ngarr, and this can be seen through his re-interpretation of canon Western religious works of art, casting young Aboriginal people as protagonists.

For more information, see the ACE website.

You can also read Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna and Italian poet, podcaster and writer Dominic Guerrera’s response to the exhibition here.