Amina Briggs

'How I See It' is a series of six large scale oil paintings that explore systemic racism through a Blak Surrealist lens, from my perspective as a First Nations woman in Australia. Through surreal imagery, I express the distorted and out-of-body feeling of living with everyday racism. I combine abstract techniques for the Black paint; symbolising Blakness, with semi-realistic techniques for the Blue paint; an allegory for oppression, to reflect the forced coexistence of First Nations and White Australia.

Drawing on my mural practice, I extend the paintings onto surrounding walls, showing how these works do not remain contained by the canvas but expand to occupy and reclaim institutional space.

My work is truth-telling, a way to process uncomfortable experiences and confront viewers with the mistreatment of First Nations. I want people to see what I feel and be confronted with the truth of their unconscious racism.