111-216/316 Colonialism/Postcolonialism and the Art of Australia 1770-1900

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Subject Description:

This subject examines art production in Australia from the late eighteenth century to the early twentieth century through contemporary theories of Colonialism and Postcolonialism. The writings of Paul Carter, Gayatri Spivak, Homi Bhabha, Edward Said, Gananath Obeyesekere, Henry Reynolds and Jenna Mead are considered. The representation of first contact in the art of Cook's voyages forms the initial focus. From here white narratives of settlement are studied in the context of the Sublime and the Picturesque and through examining the development of academic painting, patronage, art criticism, museum and the public for art. Spatial history, the history of travel and migration are studied in relationship to painting.The representation of gender, race relations and class discourses are considered throughout the course. The development of a critique of foundational narratives in the art of black artists and the emergence of postcolonial perspectives in contemporary Australia are discussed.

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Prescribed Texts:

• Smith B, European Vision and the South Pacific, Melbourne 1985.
• Hoorn, J, The Lycett Album, Aboriginal Life and Scenery, Australian National Library, 1990.
• Bell L, Colonial Constructs: European Images of Maori 1840-1914, MUP 1992.