National Museum of Scotland

Primordial: SuperNaturalBayiMinyjirral

1 August – 23 November 2014

Inspired by objects from National Museums Scotland’s World Cultures Collection, acclaimed contemporary Australian artist Danie Mellor presents sculpture and work on paper that explores his own indigenous and European heritage.

The historical and colonial obsessions of Mellor’s work respond to an array of wonders from the worlds of science, technology and nature, suggesting ways of appreciating the complex intertwined narratives of Scotland and Australia.

Mellor’s work echoes the blue and white palette of Spode transferware, a process developed during the same period Australia was established as a colony. Elements of his practice address the tensions between European understandings of Australia and that of Australia’s indigenous population. With works focusing on fauna, Aboriginal life and landscape, and science and exploration, alongside technical references to European art, Mellor’s work is uniquely relevant to the breadth of National Museums Scotland’s collections. 

The winner of the 2010 Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing, the 2009 National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, and the 2009 Indigenous Ceramics Award, and National Works on Paper Prize in 2008, Mellor has forged a significant place in Australian and international contemporary art. National Museums Scotland and the Edinburgh International Festival are delighted to present this installation in Scotland.

Presented by National Museums Scotland and the Edinburgh International Festival. With the support of Michael Reid, Sydney, Australia.

Mon-Sun, 10am-5pm

Free admission