proppaNOW: the black line; Tony Albert, Richard Bell, Vernon Ah Kee, Jennifer Herd, Gordon Hookey, Laurie Nilsen, Megan Cope

Australia’s leading Indigenous arts collective, proppaNOW, was set up in Brisbane in 2003 to give urban-based Aboriginal artists a voice. They present a unique and controversial perspective of black Australia which is sometimes confronting and always thought provoking.

The name proppaNOW best encapsulates the philosophy of what the collective is all about. They approach everything in a considered manner whilst providing a supportive environment for members to explore current social and cultural issues through art. The collective creates art that raises awareness of Aboriginal urban expression that depicts a contemporary story. They reinforce that Aboriginal Australia is a living culture that has evolved over time.

Members Vernon Ah Kee, Tony Albert, Richard Bell, Jennifer Herd, Gordon Hookey, Laurie Nilsen and Megan Cope are all established artists and well respected in their own right. Some of these were former members of Campfire Group that started in the early 90’s. 

ProppaNOW provides a constantly innovative approach to Aboriginal Art and urban expression in Australia and the position that is ascribed to Aboriginal people and culture within the national Australian context.