Christian Thompson is a highly acclaimed contemporary Australian artist of Bidjara descent, known for his photography, performance, video, and sound-based works. He has gained international recognition for his innovative and thought-provoking art, which explores issues of identity, history, and cultural heritage.
Born in 1978 in Gawler, South Australia, Thompson spent his early years in western Queensland, where he was exposed to the traditional practices and customs of his Bidjara heritage. He later studied photography at the University of Western Sydney, and went on to complete a PhD at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in 2015, becoming the first Aboriginal artist to earn a PhD from RMIT.
Thompson’s art is characterized by its multidisciplinary approach, drawing on a range of media and techniques to create complex and layered works. He is perhaps best known for his photography, which often features self-portraits that blur the boundaries between the personal and the political.
In his series “Museum of Others” (2016), Thompson creates a fictional museum that explores the ways in which Indigenous people have been represented in museums and galleries throughout history. He uses his own image to recreate famous artworks and poses from the Western art canon, challenging the notion of the “noble savage” and highlighting the ongoing struggle for recognition and representation.
Thompson’s work also frequently engages with the theme of colonialism and its impact on Indigenous people. In his series “Australian Graffiti” (2017), he combines archival photographs of early Australian explorers with graffiti-inspired motifs and symbols, creating a powerful commentary on the legacy of colonialism and its ongoing effects on Indigenous communities.
In addition to his photography, Thompson is also known for his performances, which often feature elaborate costumes and headdresses that draw on traditional Indigenous practices. His performances explore themes of gender, sexuality, and cultural identity, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about Indigenous people and their traditions.
Thompson’s art has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Tate Modern in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. He has won numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the inaugural Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Indigenous Arts Fellowship in 2010, and the prestigious Bowness Photography Prize in 2018.
Thompson’s art is a powerful testament to the ongoing resilience and creativity of Indigenous people in Australia and around the world. Through his innovative and provocative works, he challenges stereotypes and misconceptions, and highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating Indigenous cultures and traditions.