Join us for an artist talk with James Tylor and curator Leigh Robb as they discuss their exhibition Turrangka…in the shadows, a powerful survey of Tylor’s work spanning the last decade. Through experimental photo-media and hand-crafted Kaurna cultural objects, Tylor explores the complex and enduring impact of colonisation on Indigenous cultures. The conversation will offer insight into Tylor’s art practice and the collaborative curatorial process behind the exhibition.

James Tylor is a leading Australian artist whose practice examines histories of colonisation and their profound impact on Indigenous cultures and their relationship to place and spirituality. This approach to the loss of Indigenous cultural identity is informed by his heritage that comprises Nunga (Kaurna Miyurna), Māori (Te Arawa) and European (English, Scottish, Irish, Dutch and Norwegian) ancestry.

Leigh Robb is Curator of Contemporary Art at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Robb's previous roles include Curator at PICA - Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Associate Director at Thomas Dane Gallery, London, and Head of Internship Program at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice. Robb was curator of the '2020 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Monster Theatres'. Recent curated exhibitions include ‘Radical Textiles’ (2024), 'Chiharu Shiota: Absence Embodied' (2018) and 'Versus Rodin: bodies across space and time' (2017) at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

The Gallery’s public opening hours during exhibitions are Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 12pm to 4pm. Closed Saturdays and Public Holidays.

Registration is essential. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.curtin.edu.au/jcg/

James Tylor – Turrangka...In the shadows is a UNSW Galleries exhibition.

Banner image: James Tylor, Kaurna people, in his studio, work in progress, Kamberri/ Canberra, 2021. Image courtesy the artist. Copyright the artist.

Image 2: Leigh Robb. Photo Saul Steed.

Photography

This event will be photographed and/or videoed and images will occasionally be used for promotional and marketing purposes, including social media. If you do not wish to be photographed or videoed, please notify staff at event registration.

Accessibility

Everyone is welcome at the John Curtin Gallery. Plan your visit to the John Curtin Gallery.

Contact the host of Artist Talk: James Tylor in conversation with Leigh Robb