‘Morally bankrupt’: Fresh art controversy over Blak Mofo

Hobart’s Dark Mofo – still reeling over a backlash to a blood-soaked Union Jack art work – is considering an Indigenous event.

The all-Indigenous festival idea follows controversy over Union Flag, an artwork by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra involving the Union Jack dipped into the blood of First Nations people from territories colonised by the British Empire. Picture: Santiago Sierra Studio

Hobart’s Dark Mofo midwinter festival — still reeling over a backlash to a blood-soaked Union Jack art work — is considering an Indigenous-focused event, Blak Mofo, drawing a mixed reaction.

A leaked email suggests the all-Indigenous art festival would be held instead of Dark Mofo next year, and then subsequently in addition to Dark Mofo if it proved a success.

Dark Mofo and its affiliated Museum of Old and New Art would not comment on Tuesday, but sources confirmed to The Australian that “internal discussions” about the concept were taking place.

David Walsh

It follows the decision last week to scrap a controversial Dark Mofo work by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra titled Union Flag: a Union Jack soaked in blood provided by indigenous people from the around the world.

The work was backed by some Aborigines for its commentary on the impact of colonialism on Indigenous people, but others attacked it as tacky, simplistic and condescending to First Nations people.

Mona owner David Walsh pulled the plug on the work for this winter’s festival, eventually siding with those Indigenous people — and some of his own staff — who believed the work was “tone deaf”.

Now it appears the organisation is trying to make amends, responding to a challenge from the Indigenous community to do something meaningful with Aboriginal people.

The Blak Mofo concept has drawn a mixed response, with Aboriginal activist Michael Mansell dismissing it as a “morally bankrupt and politically weak” response to the Sierra controversy.

However, other Indigenous leaders backed it, with Rodney Dillon saying it could help educate Australians about the survival of Tasmania’s Aborigines.

“Anything that talks about where we’re at today and where we’ve come from is a good thing,” said Mr Dillon, spokesman for the Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Communities Alliance.

“Art is a good way of doing that and I think they (Mona) have the best vehicle to do this and it may help with the racism in this country.

Rodney Dillon. Picture: Richard Jupe

“Everyone was told at school that we (Tasmanian Aborigines) didn’t exist. So any education, through the vehicle of art, is a good thing.”

Mr Mansell was more sceptical. “They’ve copped a bit of flak from the art world for the cancellation. Now they’re shifting attention to us,” Mr Mansell told Hobart’s The Mercury.

“If the Aboriginal festival doesn’t attract the same sort of attention next year they will further say, ‘The Aborigines couldn’t do it as well’. They’re setting us up to fail.”

There were also concerns about any loss of Dark Mofo as currently constituted, given its importance to Hobart socially and economically in the off-peak tourism period.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said she had an open mind on Blak Mofo, and backed showcasing Indigenous art.

However, she said the public had come to cherish elements of Dark Mofo. “Some of the fundamental elements people love: the celebration of the depths of winter and the Winter Feast,” Ms Reynolds said.

“From my perspective and the city’s perspective they are some of elements that really appeal to people. But if the artistic component is to make a commitment to Indigenous artists, then I think that’s a positive motivation that I would support.”

Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael declined repeated requests for comment and clarification.