Pastoralists Equals Squatters,1954 International AR 110 Truck

Reko Rennie is an interdisciplinary artist who explores his Aboriginal identity through contemporary mediums. Rennie’s art incorporates his association to the Kamilaroi people, using traditional geometric patterning that represents his community. Through his art, Rennie provokes discussion surrounding Indigenous culture and identity in contemporary urban environments.

Reko has shown internationally including Paris, Berlin, Italy, Jakarta, Shanghai and USA. Recent highlights include: 2012-13 La Trobe University public art commission, 2012 Archibald Prize Finalist, a solo exhibition at SCOPE Art Fair, New York 2012, a 35-metre commissioned work by the Washington DC Arts and Humanities and a two-year public artwork, Neon Natives as part of the 2011 Melbourne Laneway Commission.

“It’s very important these stories are told, remembered and shared with the rest of the community and made part of our collective history of Australia.

Aboriginal men and women, who worked on the stations were an important and integral part of the success of these stations.  And that’s something you can’t deny.

It’s also about the history of Australia and how Aboriginal people survived on these pastoral stations. And this is information that needs to be shared and told.

There were many emotions during this project and it also caused me to reflect on how life was for my grandmother and any other young Aboriginal man or woman working on a station. It was real tough work, the men were tough as nails and the woman were even tougher to survive and endure what they did during those times.” Reko Rennie