Collection Online

Protectors camp
2017

Medium
digital print

Measurements
45.0 × 80.0 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2019

Gallery location
Not on display

 

About this work

Protectors camp depicts Australian naturalist and explorer Archibald Meston, settling in a bush camp with his gun clearly visible leaning over his shoulder to exercise control, while three Aboriginal people tend to the campsite. Fiona Foley describes this scene as ‘permeated by wafts of arrogance – as pervasive as smoke from the campfire’. Through Foley’s research, Meston has been exposed as a contested historical figure who prior to serving as ‘Protector of Aborigines’ is believed to have been responsible for the murder of several Aboriginal people.

Artwork Details

Edition
ed. 2/5

Accession Number
2019.240

Department
First Nations Australia