Matthew Rimmer
Not a Souvenir at the MCA highlights the commodification and misrepresentation of First Nations people – and invites the public to reckon with their complicity https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/ng-interactive/2026/may/20/tony-albert-not-a-souvenir-mca-museum-contemporary-art-aboriginalia-into-art #IndigenousIP #MCA
‘I can use it, I can abuse it’: Tony Albert spent decades collecting racist ‘Aboriginalia’. Now he wants to turn yours into art

Not a Souvenir at the MCA highlights the commodification and misrepresentation of First Nations people – and invites the public to reckon with their complicity

The Guardian
May 19 at 9:28pmWeb
Show threadMatthew RimmerMay 19

'Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir brings together Albert’s work across sculpture, photography, installation, painting, and assemblage alongside major new commissions. The exhibition takes inspiration from the MCA’s location on Sydney Harbour at Tallawoladah and the surrounding precinct, The Rocks – a profoundly significant site of early colonial contact, now synonymous with tourism and souvenir culture. It considers the commodification and misrepresentation of Aboriginal people and culture, both historically and today, while celebrating survival and cultural pride.

Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir is guest curated by renowned Indigenous curator Bruce Johnson McLean (Wierdi people) and has been developed in close collaboration with the artist (Girramay, Kuku Yalanji and Yidindji peoples).' https://www.mca.com.au/exhibitions/tony-albert/

Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir | MCA Australia

Tony Albert: Not a Souvenir brings together key bodies of work from across Tony Albert’s career, alongside major new commissions.

Show threadMatthew RimmerMay 21
Tony Albert’s Not a Souvenir opens at MCA Australia https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/tony-alberts-not-a-souvenir-opens-at-mca-australia-2859006/ #IndigenousIP
Tony Albert’s Not a Souvenir opens at MCA Australia

Tony Albert talks to ArtsHub about how his collection of Aboriginalia has fuelled a two-decade practice.

ArtsHub Australia
Show threadMatthew RimmerMay 21
The MCA Australia launches a national donation drive for uncomfortable aboriginalia https://www.sydneytimes.net.au/arts-culture/not-a-souvenir-tony-albert-and-mca-australia-launch-national-donation-drive-for-uncomfortable-aboriginalia/ #IndigenousIP
Not A Souvenir: Tony Albert And MCA Australia Launch National Donation Drive For Uncomfortable Aboriginalia

Not a Souvenir: Tony Albert and MCA Australia launch national donation drive for uncomfortable Aboriginalia

Sydney Times
Show threadMatthew RimmerMay 21
This First Nations artist wants your racist 'Aboriginalia' – video https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/video/2026/may/20/first-nations-artist-tony-albert-not-a-souvenir-racist-art-aboriginalia-video #IndigenousIP
This First Nations artist wants your racist 'Aboriginalia' – video

Over the years Tony Albert has collected cups, tea towels, trays, playing cards and figurines, all ostensibly depicting Aboriginal people and designs, but created by non-Indigenous people

The Guardian