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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Reko Rennie

2014
Jasper Knight

enamel, gloss acrylic, perspex, masonite and metal sign on board (support: 149.0 cm x 150.0 cm, frame: 153.0 cm x 153.0 cm depth 6.5 cm)

Reko Rennie (b. 1974) is a Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay/Gummaroi artist whose practice incorporates sculpture, painting, video work and installation. Largely self-taught, his work often explores his Aboriginal identity, combining the iconography of his Kamilaroi heritage with street art and graffiti styles. ‘As an urban Indigenous Australian, my work often references the hip-hop and graffiti subcultures that were influential on my artistic practice in my formative years.’ The spray paint can acts as a material and a message stick in Rennie’s works, alongside the Aboriginal flag, crowns and diamonds he uses to question sovereignty and power in Australian post-colonial discourses of art. Also an activist, he speaks out on issues such as education, the inclusion of First Nations voices, and self-determination in Australian political and cultural life.

Jasper Knight’s work is known for its bright, brash colours and distinctive graphic approach, often using industrial materials such as spray paint, masonite, pegboard and salvaged signage. Knight’s portrait of Rennie speaks to their mutual influences: street art, mixed media and the work of Howard Arkley.

Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Jasper Knight/Copyright Agency, 2024

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Jasper Knight (age 36 in 2014)

Reko Rennie (age 40 in 2014)

Subject professions

Activism

Visual arts and crafts

Donated by

Patrick Corrigan AM (130 portraits)

Related portraits

1. JS Study 1, 2014. All Jasper Knight.
© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency