2015 Archibald finalist Adam (aka Black Douglas) Hill has talked about the subject of his entry, Smoke and mirrors Uncle Max Eulo as having, “…etched his way into modern Sydney Aboriginal culture somewhat enigmatically.
“I recall seeing him for the first time, a decade ago at a launch in Ashfield. His introductory catch phrase was, ‘My name’s Uncle Max Eulo and I’m from Bourke… where the Crows fly backwards’. Thereafter, I’ve seen Uncle Max at most Indigenous events, cleansing the scene with his coolamon and smoking gum leaves.
“I thought this lovely man should be portrayed not only because of his prepossessing face but the fact that he has become one of the most recognised artistic celebrities within the performative public arena. Where there’s smoke, there’s Uncle Max”.
We can only imagine those people Blak Douglas gave artworks to a couple of years ago at Tandanya, Adelaide, will be over the moon.
Born Adam Douglas Hill on Dharug Country (Blacktown) to an Aboriginal Father & Australian Mother, he has been producing art for 17 years now. Connected to a family of artisans, later studying photography / illustration and graphics at UWS Nepean. Largely self-taught in the painting genre of modern / pop, however, and began painting in an industrial unit in Jamisontown (South Penrith).
But to find out more about who he is, have a read of this piece he wrote for the Aboriginal Art Directory News a couple of years ago leading up to his Tandanya exhibition.
Adam (aka Blak Douglas) Hill’s works are collected both nationally and internationally, including the National Gallery & National Museums of Australia, National Maritime Museum, Parliament of NSW, Taipei Museum and The Aboriginal Art Museum of Utrecht.
Please head to our Gallery to view more.
