Blak Douglas

Blak Douglas
Douglas at the 2023 NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Born1969 or 1970 (age 56–57)
Sydney, Australia
Occupation

Blak Douglas (born 1969 or 1970), formerly known as Adam Douglas Hill, is an Aboriginal Australian artist and musician. As of May 2026 he is based in Sydney, New South Wales.

Early life and education

Blak Douglas was born Adam Douglas Hill in 1969 or 1970 in the western Sydney suburb of Blacktown and raised in Penrith. His parents were Bob and Yvonne Hill.[1] He is a Dhungatti man,[2] with Irish, Scots, English, and German ancestry.[3]

He was classically trained in playing the didgeridoo, but taught himself how to create visual art.[1]

Career

Art

Douglas has a background in graphic design and drawing.[4] He became a full-time artist in around 2002.[1]

As Adam Hill, he created the exterior artwork on the new recording studios and offices of the Gadigal Information Service,[5] which opened in 2008.[6]

Music

Douglas has played the didgeridoo in performances across Australia and internationally, including accompanying Christine Anu, Emma and Casey Donovan, Jessica Mauboy, Jenny Morris, Jane Rutter, and Peter Sculthorpe.[1]

Recognition and awards

Douglas was a finalist for the Archibald Prize in 2015 (Smoke and mirrors – Uncle Max Eulo)[7] and 2018 (Uncle Roy Kennedy).[8]

A portrait of Douglas by Euan Macleod was finalist for the 2021 Archibald Prize.[9]

He won the 2022 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens,[2][10] having been a finalist five times. The painting is titled Moby Dickens, and depicts Dickens standing calf-deep in floodwaters in her hometown of Lismore. He said that it was a political statement, "a call to vote out the Morrison government.[1]

Exhibitions

A free exhibition of Douglas' work, titled Home Flown, is mounted on the Reconciliation Wall at NSW Parliament House until 25 June 2026.[4]

Collections

His work is held in the National Gallery of Australia[11] and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.[12]

Personal life

Douglas changed his name to avoid confusion with Australian comedian Adam Hills.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Morris, Helen; Pitt, Linda (13 May 2022). "Blak Douglas wins $100,000 Archibald Prize with striking portrait of Karla Dickens". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2022. A five-time finalist, 52-year-old Douglas, born Adam Douglas Hill,
  2. 1 2 Butler, Dan. "Dhungatti artist Blak Douglas wins 2022 Archibald Prize". SBS NEWS. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  3. ↑ Meacham, Steve. "'I've had the finger pointed at me': Blak Douglas maps genealogy". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  4. 1 2 "New Blak Douglas work to challenge perceptions of Aboriginal art". ABC News. 26 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "History". Koori Radio - 93.7FM 2LND - First Nations radio station. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Gadigal Information Service". Barani. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "Archibald Prize Archibald 2015 work: Smoke and mirrors (Uncle Max Eulo) by Blak Douglas". Art Gallery of New South Wales. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Archibald Prize Archibald 2018 work: Uncle Roy Kennedy by Blak Douglas". Art Gallery of New South Wales. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "Archibald Prize Archibald 2021 work: Blak Douglas by Euan Macleod". Art Gallery of New South Wales. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  10. ↑ Jefferson, Dee. "Archibald Prize won by Blak Douglas for portrait of artist Karla Dickens, the second time an Indigenous artist has won". ABC NEWS. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Not everyone's cup of tea". National Gallery of Australia. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "Faithfulness, 2017 by Blak Douglas (aka Adam Hill)". Art Gallery of New South Wales. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
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