‘It’s important to have it here’: Archie Moore’s astonishing Venice Biennale-winning artwork comes home to Brisbane

Archie Moore's Masterpiece Returns

The celebrated Bigambul-Kamilaroi artist Archie Moore brings his profound installation kith and kin back to his home state of Queensland, following its historic success at the 2024 Venice Biennale. This monumental piece, which earned Moore the Golden Lion for best national participation, is now on display at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane.

The Installation: A Deep Dive into History

kith and kin is an evocative exploration of both personal and collective Indigenous history. At the heart of the installation is a family tree extending 65,000 years, mapped meticulously on blackboard walls with white chalk. This representation not only chronicles Moore's ancestry but also reflects broader Indigenous genealogical narratives. The tree's roots begin with tangible names, evolving into speculative and cultural terms as it ascends.

Central to the installation is a solemn memorial—a platform surrounded by water, symbolizing a shrine. It bears redacted documents that chronicle the deaths of 557 Indigenous people in custody since 1991. The presence of blank pages signifies the absence of complete records, highlighting systemic erasures.

Impact on Community and Audience

The return of this installation to Brisbane is significant for local communities, especially those directly connected to the histories portrayed. The work has been described as both universal and deeply personal, inviting viewers to engage with Australia's complex past and its ongoing repercussions.

Moore's work has elicited strong emotional responses, with visitors often pausing in contemplation of the scale and depth of the issues visualized. The installation's relocation from Venice to Brisbane has only intensified its resonance, as many of the events documented occurred in Queensland.

Exhibition Details

The exhibition is housed at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, where it will be open to the public from September 27, 2025, to October 18, 2026. The gallery ensures accessibility features to accommodate all visitors, inviting a broad audience to reflect on the themes presented.

How to engage

• Visit the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane before October 18, 2026, to experience the installation firsthand.
• Participate in discussions and forums at GOMA that delve into the themes of Indigenous history and contemporary issues highlighted by Moore's work.
• Engage with educational programs offered by GOMA to deepen understanding of the cultural and historical contexts of kith and kin.