Blak Douglas

Aboriginal (Dunghutti) / England / Germany / Ireland / Scotland

Blak Douglas was born Adam Douglas Hill in Blacktown, Western Sydney in 1970, to his Aboriginal father and his Caucasian mother. He was originally trained in illustration and photography, however, became a self-practicing artist in the medium of painting. His work is graphically stylised, and best surmised in his words, they are “devoutly politicised in relation to social justice’. His works are profoundly bold and focus on what it means to be an Aboriginal person in the 21st century. In addition to his art practice, Douglas is also a classically trained Yidaki (Didgeridoo) player, and has performed extensively at various festivals, opening ceremonies, and other events.

Douglas has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions both domestically and abroad. In 2019, Douglas won the prestigious Newcastle Art Gallery ‘Kilgour Prize’.  A multiple finalist in the Archibald Prize, the Wynne Prize, the Mosman, Paddington and Blacktown art prizes as well as the Telstra National Indigennous Art Award.

Douglas’ works are held in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; National Museum of Australia, Canberra; National Maritime Museum, Sydney; Town Hall Collection, Sydney; The Art Gallery of NSW, Taipei Museum; AAMU, Utrecht; and regional Sydney Councils including Blacktown, Liverpool, and Campbelltown.