Contemporary art and digital technology collide in this recent acquisition’s response to current issues concerning identity, desire, and representation.
Still Thriving, Still Here (2023) is a digitally animated artwork by emerging artist Dylan Mooney, who combines artistic practices with technology to explore narratives of his own identity as a queer Indigenous man. The artwork expands on Mooney’s Queer, Blak, and Here series (2020-21) to include female, transgender, and non-binary members of the Indigenous community, and continues to advocate for those voices that have previously been under-represented in our society.
Viewers cannot overlook the subjects in Mooney’s work, who stare back at the audience defiantly, wrapped in different pride colours and emblazoned with the Aboriginal flag. Motifs of native Australian flora also serve as a powerful reminder of the connection between First Nations people and the land that has nurtured them for thousands of years.
Purchased in support of Murdoch University Art Collection’s 50th anniversary Gold Horizon acquisitions campaign, Still Thriving, Still Here reframes conversations around identity and advocates for greater recognition of First Nations people and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Dylan Mooney has already gained national recognition and acclaim, with his artwork represented in numerous collections across Australia, including National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Queensland Museum. He was the youngest artist to be included in the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) 2022 landmark exhibition titled Queer. Additionally, his series Still Here and Thriving was exhibited as part of Sydney World Pride 2023 and in October of the same year, Mooney was awarded the Brisbane Portrait Prize for his Still Thriving series.
Murdoch University Art Curators Mark Stewart and Dr Baige Zylstra are excited to welcome this new acquisition.
“Dylan Mooney’s film-based animated artwork titled Still Thriving, Still Here depicts the love between queer Indigenous people, bringing out the joy and solidarity that is the cornerstone of his community. This artwork supports Murdoch University Art Collection’s established representation of emerging First Nations artists. It also reflects the Collection’s bourgeoning features of queer art and digital art.”
