Archie Moore’s Venice Biennale installation acquired by Tate and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

Tate and QAGOMA collaborate to secure landmark indigenous artwork by Archie Moore.

Archie Moore / kith and kin 2024 / Australia Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024. Photographer: Andrea Rossetti / © the artist / Image courtesy of the artist and The Commercial.

Tate has announced the acquisition of Archie Moore’s acclaimed artwork kith and kin, in collaboration with Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). This acquisition, supported by Creative Australia and the Australian government, marks a significant step in preserving and celebrating the artwork’s profound legacy. kith and kin, which won the Golden Lion for Best National Participation at the Venice Biennale 2024, is a poignant representation of First Nations Australian history and the shared essence of humanity.

Moore’s kith and kin features a vast genealogical chart drawn in chalk across extensive walls, illustrating 65,000 years and 2,400 family generations. This intricate piece, reflecting Moore’s Kamilaroi, Bigambul, and British heritage, brings global attention to the vitality of kinship while serving as a memorial to the historical and ongoing injustices faced by First Nations peoples. The work exemplifies Moore’s long-standing exploration of history and identity, developed over three decades of artistic endeavour.

Archie Moore / kith and kin 2024 / Australia Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024. Photographer: Andrea Rossetti / © the artist / Image courtesy of the artist and The Commercial.

The acquisition highlights Tate and QAGOMA’s commitment to showcasing the narratives of indigenous artists. kith and kin reflects the intertwined histories of Australia and the United Kingdom, increasing the visibility of contemporary indigenous art in Tate’s collection.

Australia Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.  

Date: 20 April – 24 November 2024. Location: Australia Pavilion, Giardini di Castello 30122. creative.gov.au. 

Click here for our pick of Pavilions to visit at the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.