Peace, the man and hope

Brook Andrew is an interdisciplinary artist working across a variety of mediums. In 2005 he worked with the Australian master screenprinter Larry Rawling to create the impressive large-scale screenprints that would form his Hope & Peace series.

The three-panel collage Peace, the man and hope is a pivotal work from this series. The image of the famous Aboriginal boxer and former rugby league player, Anthony Mundine, is set against a background of the black-and-white patterns found on Wiradjuri shields and dendroglyphs, as well as neon-coloured texts in Wiradjuri language: Ngajuu ngaay nginduugirr (I see you) and Nginduugirr ngaay ngajuu (You see me). Two cigarette packets branded ‘Hope’ and ‘Peace’ hover underneath Mundine’s outstretched arms. Considered both a hero and polarising figure, the outspoken Mundine, also referred to as ‘The Man’, is a strong, powerful role model for many. As his figure pulsates from the work’s surface, the words ‘Hope’ and ‘Peace’ propose the message of reconciliation not only within Australia but the world. This use of text and loud colour evokes both the advertising slogans found in the capitalist world and the nationalistic messages of communist propaganda posters. These two opposing aesthetic manifestos bring to light the oppression of Aboriginal people and their culture. Yet, through the inclusion of the Wiradjuri language and the star athlete, Anthony Mundine, their presence and voices are returned.

An explosion of pop art and Russian social realist aesthetics, this print explores the complexities of commercialism, race, politics and power.

Gloria Strzelecki, Associate Curator of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art