Archie Moore

About the work

While generally meant as a slight responding to a person’s bloated ego, or something said during a confrontation caused by a newcomer’s bravado when in an established group’s place, ‘walking around like you own the place’ can also be seen as a positive survival tactic of self-assurance. Especially when you are an Indigenous person walking on your own country. The environment and everything in it – the land, animals and plants – are viewed as living kin. Standing on traditional lands connects us directly to ancestors, language, and cultural responsibilities, fostering deep healing, strength, and belonging. The phrase is intended as a positive affirmation for Indigenous peoples whilst on Country. Yes, walk around like you own the place because you do. The phrase as a criticism can be directed at the very first settler colonialists who disregarded the boundaries, laws, wishes and feelings of those who were here for tens of thousands of years and also to those people today who still want to climb over, pass through and stay on sacred sites such as the ‘womens’ mountain’ Dya (so-called Mount Ainslie – named after pastoralist James Ainslie).

About the artist

Archie Moore works across media to produce conceptual, research-based explorations of self and national histories. His ongoing interests include key signifiers of identity—skin, language, smell, home, genealogy and flags—the borders of intercultural understanding and misunderstanding, and the broader structures and effects of racism.

Archie Moore’s solo exhibition kith and kin, in the Australia Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale curated by Ellie Buttrose, was awarded Golden Lion for Best National Participation. kith and kin was jointly gifted to Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane and Tate, London, by Creative Australia on behalf of the Australian Government 2024.