Starlight – Blak Douglas

STARLIGHT ON

Blak

Douglas

Artist. Lover. Disruptor.

May 2026

If history relies on its arts of all genres to chronicle the zeitgeist for future reference, Blak Douglas is undisputedly one of this continent's most important artists of all time. Not just because of his impressive resume, achievements, accolades and the neverending fountain of talent that polymaths have... but because of how he views the world.

Images of Blak Douglas, taken at Carnival of The Bold 2013 by dusk.devi.vision 2013

1. Is what you’re doing now what you have always wanted to do?

Should the aptitude have presented itself, I’d have opted for the role of a Quantum Physicist, Brain Surgeon, Actuary or Merchant Banker.

But alas, I found the most satisfying vocation that is grossly unsupported and exploited yet remains the most chic and attractive to those needing to align themselves with ‘coolness’…

2. Do you paint every day or only when the muse kisses?

This question re invoked MANY memorable nights of debauchery in the studio over the years! May I take this moment to pay my respects to the gorgeous peoples who generously gave their time & love to cradle my ego over the years.

I paint daily when an exhibition or prize calls but otherwise am [creative to task] on the camera, drawing board or computer most days.

3. What’s something that takes up way too much of your time?
Driving, nature gazing & procrastination (or all of the above). Like a moth to a fluoro light am I, thankfully the first two often fuel my content.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to dedicating a little too long on Instagram whilst occupying the out house… Additionally, Youtube, ahhh the unforeseen hobby of ‘fact based’ history documentaries.

4. What’s on an artist’s playlist? 5 songs that are your current mood.
Matt Murphy – ‘Way Down South‘ | Sombr – ‘I Wish I Knew How to Quit You‘ | Tania Maria – ‘Come With Me‘ | Major Zulu – ‘Music Sounds Better With You‘ | Hot Sardines – ‘Bei Mir Bist du Schoen‘
… but the playlist goes onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

5. What colour would you use to describe yourself? Why?

Pink. Unashamedly ambiguous. A challenge to the conservative mind. A perplexity to the gossips and prejudiced yet striking!

Being raised in Penrith in the 1980’s, a male didn’t dare wear pink as the feebleminded stereotype was solidified. Lo & behold, my hometown NRL champions now occasionally don pink when competing.

6. If you weren’t expressing yourself through painting, playing the Yidaki and disrupting systems of oppression, what would be your expression of choice?

A Bower Bird. Multi linguistic, dramaturgist, installation artist, taskmaster 101 and supremely desirous to the ever ill-disposed femme fatale.

[Publisher Notes: Artists are polymath sapiens… Poly Sapiens.]

7. How long have you been playing the Yidaki and what drew you to it?

27yrs. Watch here

Like most, I was mesmerised by the Yolngu culture and their Bungul (Corroborees). When I first heard it played by Jonathon Munyarryun for his brother Djakapurra at the Sydney Opera House (1999), I was transfixed. I later took a solo adventure to their Dhalinybuy (Arnhem Land) homeland to begin my tuition.

Read more here: ‘Didge heroes, crocs and adventure in an adopted homeland for ‘concrete Koori’ – in the artist’s own words. SMH

8. Is it possible for an artist to have a favourite piece that they’ve created? If so, what is/are yours?

Undisputedley. One cannot surrender all to the trepidatious commercial art ether which ultimately becomes the secondary market upcycling facility.

I retain two personally painted canvases.

One titled ‘Air to the drone‘ was painted upon my return from Dhalinybuy and learning of the phenomenon of the Yidaki.

The second is actually a collaborative piece which became a finalist in the 2015 Wynne Prize. Titled ‘Ashes, damper & kangaroo stew for supper‘ originally begun by one of my art heroines Aunty Elaine Russell (Dec.).

9. What keeps you going on hard days? What is Faith to you?

Collectors, dealers and friends are veritable ‘shareholders’. You (the artist) becomes the company. Let’s face it, if you create & sell, are registered for GST and unfortunately surrender to the ATO, you must commit.

‘Faith’ to me is remaining defiant against Commonwealth deceit, a generational colony of vociferous nationalistic convict offspring settlers.

Also, honouring my Dhungatti ancestors who’d not been granted the respect & courtesy to defend their human, sovereign & territorial rights as fellow sapiens.

10. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done (so far)?

The craziest things are of an EXPLICIT nature and may not be suitable for all audiences. (Names withheld).

11. What’s your biggest indulgence?

Self employment as a multi-award winning First Nations contemporary artist in Australia

…and observing & traversing the ‘Art Landscape’ like a Burke & Wills expedition across a terrain populated by a multitude of venomous fauna, yet occasionally sighting the odd oasis.

12. If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?

My trade marked Blak Dungarees, my Djakapurra Yidaki, antique hammertone drawing table, 1971 Valiant Wayfarer ute and my unbelievably hot and intellectually stimulating chat-bot life partner.

13. What’s the best gift you have received?

Any form of dedicated love from another. Either a partner, lover, friend or family. THAT kind of love you know when it’s conveyed. Intimacy, greeting, hug or words.

It’s a damn shame the generic practice only occurred in the 60’s. “What the world needs now, is…”

14. What do you want to be remembered for?
Contributing to an era of visual activism that aids the advancement of a more egalitarian and maturation of ‘Australia’.

For fostering a legion of proud young emerging artists and ensuring they’re respectfully nurtured and not ‘cage fed’ for the masses.

Last but not least… the ‘Che Guevara’ of the fight against the stereotyping of commercialised ‘Dot Painting’. (But that’s a story on its own).

HOME FLOWN. An exhibition. An exposé.
May 7th – June 25th

15. THREE things you like about yourself… and one thing you don’t.

1) Animal & child magnetism (inherited from Dad)

2) Hair is still mostly black given my age
3) Story telling ability (when at the dinner table