22. Bauble by DARREN BLACKMAN

Darren Blackman, Enamel Spray Paint, L 10cm, W 10cm, D 10cm. 

Darren Blackman is a proud Gureng Gureng/Gangalu man from Queensland’s central coast, with Kanak South Sea Islander heritage from Vanuatu. Raised in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, he has lived and worked across far north, western, and south east Queensland. 

This year, Darren's work was featured in Fish Lane vitrines, and for several months, we had the privilege of discussing his art during our monthly guided walking tour, Footsteps: First Nations Art Tour.

Darren’s art confronts the political and societal challenges faced by First Nations peoples in Australia today. Grounded in oral histories shared by his Elders, his work reinterprets these narratives through his own lens, blending them with personal insights and lived experiences. Through his creative practice, Darren delivers a powerful commentary on the diversity of Aboriginal voices, while critiquing the role of mainstream politics and media in shaping narratives about Indigenous culture. His art highlights the resilience of his people and advocates for a deeper understanding of First Nations issues within Australia’s broader cultural discourse.

Darren is represented by Onespace Gallery in Meanjin (Brisbane), and Aboriginal Art Co is proud to honour and nurture the strong relationship he has built with the gallery.