Nulla 4 Eva #3
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The Nulla 4 Eva series is an exploration of the race politics that exist inAustralian contemporary culture. Directly referencing the Cronulla riots, aterritorially driven dispute between Lebanese Australians and non-IndigenousAustralians over Cronulla beach and its surrounding areas, Foley hasrecreated the scene, placing emphasis on the Australian philosophy of thebeach as a public place, not owned and always to be shared. Foley notes thatthroughout media coverage of Cronulla riots, no reference was made totraditional ownership of the area. In Nulla 4 Eva #3 Foley depicts a volatileand obviously heated situation between a group of Indigenous Australiansand a group of non-Indigenous Australians, clad with the Australian flag,symbols of patriotism. Through this work Foley identifies herself with theAboriginal men, and explores the notion of Australian nationality incontemporary times, asking the question of whether or not being 'Australian'is simply an issue of ownership or whether it is something much more.MR 270918
Curatorial insightThe Nulla 4 Eva series is an exploration of the race politics that exist in Australian contemporary culture. Directly referencing the Cronulla riots, a territorially driven dispute between Lebanese Australians and non-Indigenous Australians over Cronulla beach and its surrounding areas, Foley has recreated the scene, placing emphasis on the Australian philosophy of the beach as a public place, not owned and always to be shared. Foley notes that throughout media coverage of the Cronulla riots, no reference was made to traditional ownership of the area. In Nulla 4 Eva #3 Foley depicts a volatile and obviously heated situation between a group of Indigenous Australians and a group of non-Indigenous Australians, clad with the Australian flag, symbols of patriotism. Through this work Foley identifies herself with the Aboriginal men and explores the notion of Australian nationality in contemporary times, asking the question of whether or not being ‘Australian’ is simply an issue of ownership or whether it is something much more. (AGWA 2009)