In collaboration with projection specialists The Electric Canvas, artist Vincent Namatjira transforms the MCA façade into a spectacular rock’n’roll experience for Vivid Sydney 2025. Drawing upon his series of paintings, King Dingo, the projection is accompanied by an original score created by Namatjira and Indulkana-based guitarist-composer Jeremy Whiskey.
King Dingo continues the Western Aranda artist’s series of subversive portraits, which use wit and caricature to consider Australia’s relationship with ‘The Empire’. Namatjira often paints significant figures throughout history to draw out the connections between leadership, wealth, power and influence.
Demonstrating his signature style, King Dingo depicts the dingo – a protector totem and symbol of Indigenous power – in royal regalia or historical attire. In keeping with this year’s Vivid Sydney theme, ‘Dream’, these dingo figures reflect the dream of acknowledgment, reconciliation and recognition of the enduring presence of Aboriginal culture.
Namatjira says, ‘these new paintings are about a reversal of colonial ownership, looking at royalty and status from a remote Indigenous perspective. King Dingo represents Aboriginal strength, pride and resilience, and respect for Country, culture, and Indigenous leadership past and present.’
Namatjira’s work avoids reproducing pre-colonial contact imagery and a separation of past and present. Rather, it intentionally illustrates the entanglements of our national history and cultural memory. As a projection, the work highlights how collective memory is a shared process, reshaping how we perceive history and reminding us that remembrance is dynamic and inclusive.
This event is part of Vivid Sydney – proudly owned, managed and produced by Destination New South Wales.
Event Details:
Dates: 23 May - 14 June 2025
Location: MCA - Circular Quay Forecourt