Jeffrey Gibson at 72 Perth

Jeffrey’s artworks make reference to various aesthetic and material histories rooted in Indigenous cultures of the Americas and in modern and contemporary subcultures. He is known for creating visually rich paintings and sculptures that mix material, saturated colour, pattern, image, and text to celebrate and amplify the voices of individuals and communities both past and present. This way of working, particularly with technically-demanding handwork, is seen through related work by Jeffrey included in the 2022 Biennial. In All You Took, I Gladly Gave (2013), SPEAK TO ME IN YOUR WAY SO I CAN HEAR YOU (2015), and ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL (2015), a wide range of found and repurposed objects—found tipi poles, driftwood, wool, canvas—collide with embellishments that reference Indigenous cultural production, from glass beadwork and nylon fringe to metal jingles and ceramics inspired by Mississippian head pots. ALL FOR ONE ONE FOR ALL, with its riotous assemblages of colour, textures and shapes, was the artist’s first work to explore the pre-Columbian ceramic heads but was also the genesis for his transformational garment pieces—the artist has shared that it was the first time he began to think about garment as sculpture.

This project is generously supported by Multiplex.

Detailed Audio Description of Jeffrey’s work at 72 Perth:

Audio Didactic: