We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of New South Wales stands.

Reko Rennie

A pattern of black, spray-painted crowns, diamonds and Aboriginal flags on a background of yellow, pink and blue stripes.

Reko Rennie Regalia 2015, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Reko Rennie, courtesy of the artist and Blackartprojects

Regalia 2015

Reko Rennie’s vivid artworks combine the iconography of his Kamilaroi heritage with stylistic elements of graffiti and street art. In this way, Rennie asserts his pride in being Aboriginal while subverting romantic notions of Aboriginal identity. Dominant in Rennie’s practice are the repeated symbols of the diamond, Aboriginal flag and crown in brilliant, hard-edge form. The diamond relates to dendroglyphs (tree carvings) found in Kamilaroi Country, while the flag is a symbol of Aboriginal identity and solidarity. The accompanying crown refers to the sovereignty of Aboriginal people. 

Rennie has stated: ‘These symbols combined together state Australia’s Aboriginal royalty. It’s the first people, the Indigenous people. Regalia is a reminder.’ 

  • K–6 discussion questions

    • Look at Regalia 2015 and describe the different colours, shapes and designs you can see. Is each design different or is there repetition? How many different designs are there? Look at how the artist has ordered the designs and identify any patterns you can see.   

    • Think about a crown, a diamond and a flag. What do these objects suggest to you? Brainstorm a list of ideas for each one. Explain why you think Rennie chose to paint these objects.

    • What type of paint do you think Rennie used to create this artwork? Notice the drips. What do they suggest? Have you seen painting like this before? Where would you usually see this style of painting?  

  • K–6 activities

    • Rennie uses a set of symbols relating to his Country, community and identity. He has developed them from geometric designs connected to his Country. Use lines to make your own design (or designs) that share ideas about who you are and where you live. The design could be simple or complicated. Repeat your design using drawing, painting, stencilling or printmaking to create a larger artwork.  Share your ideas with your class. 

  • 7–12 discussion questions

    • Consider how Rennie uses colour and design in Regalia. The shapes he has drawn in black can be read as symbols. Analyse the three symbols and explain why you think Rennie has used them. How do they relate to his Aboriginal identity, Country and community?  

    • Consider this artwork in relation to the idea of sovereignty. What does ’sovereignty’ mean? How might each symbol express this idea? What role do light and shade, scale and repetition have in communicating meaning? Discuss the title of the work and how it relates to your observations. 

  • 7–12 activities

    • Develop an artwork that expresses ideas about your identity, place and community. Make notes to capture your ideas about people or places or activities that are significant to you. Experiment with distilling your ideas into visual form and design a two- or three-dimensional artwork. Consider your choice of materials and how they could strengthen your ideas. Write a statement that reflects upon this expression of your identity, the significance of place, and how different experiences have informed who you are.   

    • Research Rennie’s wider art practice, including works such as No sleep till Dreamtime 2014 and I was always here 2016. Critically evaluate his use of symbolism. Look at the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat and his use of the crown symbol. Reflect on the similar and differing ways that Rennie and Basquiat have used this symbol in their practice. Explain the layers of meaning in Rennie’s crowns.