How great thou art

Judy says she is outraged at the deep personal hurt caused to her family, and underscores this statement with a work of art that depicts letters from the authorities of the time stained with blood.

Fellow Queenslander, Archie Moore submitted a controversial piece called Maltheism. It is a paper sculpture of church which has actually been made from a bible. The pages used in the sculpture are from the book of Deuteronomy.

The artist describes this passage as being God’s endorsement to Moses to invade nations, kill non-believers, and take resources without permission or treaty.

But it’s not all overtly political. There are many expressions of traditional culture here which have a magical quality about them. The otherworldliness of these works has the capacity to lift the viewer out of suburban humdrum.

Opening night of the Awards is a social highlight in Darwin. This is ritz Top-End style.

The presentations take place on the lawns outside the gallery, while a blood-red dry season sunset seeps into Fannie Bay.

Many of the award winners make speeches of acceptance in their community language, and Numbulwar’s spectacular Red Flag dancers contribute their exotic skills to the evening.

It’s a big night.

Interest in these artworks from mainstream Australia - and the wider world - is an encouraging sign.

I wonder if those who cultivate this passion speculate about why their favourite Indigenous painter is likely to die 20 years younger than her European counterparts.

Or why her children will probably face a lower standard of health, housing and education than most white Australians.

I hope so.

Otherwise they stand accused of licking the icing off the cake.