Bringing Rememory to Life at the Biennale
So, Ethan, your work’s stealing the show at the Biennale 2026 with the Rememory theme—reclaiming histories and memories. What’s your vibe for this year’s gig?
“Mate, Rememory feels like it was made for my mob,” Ethan laughs, adjusting his cap. “I’m showing a new digital series at White Bay Power Station, massive portraits of queer Indigenous folks—my community, my heart. It’s about love, survival, and joy, kinda like my earlier pride series, but digging deeper into our ancestral stories. I’m weaving in Yuwi shields and Torres Strait patterns, stuff I’ve studied at the Queensland Museum. It’s bold, bright, and unapologetic.”
He leans forward, grinning. “There’s also a mural at Carriageworks, a tribute to a queer First Nations dancer from the 1988 Mardi Gras, full of defiance and rainbow vibes. It’s about connecting generations, showing we’re still thriving.” Ethan’s legally blind, so he uses digital tools for their backlit clarity, creating punchy art that pops. “The iPad’s my best mate—it lets me zoom in, nail those details without straining,” he says.
Queer Representation: Telling Stories That Matter
Your art’s all about queer Indigenous love—vibrant and proud. Why’s that so important to you?
“Growing up in Mackay, I didn’t see queer Blak stories anywhere,” Ethan says, his voice soft but strong. “No galleries, no telly, nothing. So I’m creating them—portraits of mob embracing, loving, being fierce. It’s for young queer Indigenous kids to see themselves and feel proud. My earlier series at a local gallery kicked it off, and now at the Biennale, it’s like shouting it from the rooftops.”
He chuckles. “I love mixing pride flags—rainbow, trans, you name it—with Aboriginal and South Sea Islander motifs. It’s like saying, ‘We’ve always been here, from the Dreamtime to now.’ It’s decolonizing queerness, showing it’s part of our culture.” Ethan’s work draws from his community’s yarns, like a tender portrait of him and his mate. “That one’s personal—love’s universal, but it’s also ours,” he adds.
The Creative Process: From Mackay to Sydney
How do you go from a spark to those massive Biennale pieces?
“It’s a bit of a wild ride, not gonna lie,” Ethan laughs. “I start with pencil sketches, stuff my mum got me into as a kid. Then I scan ‘em onto my iPad and go nuts with digital layers. Being legally blind, the backlit screen helps me get those colours—bright reds, blues, yellows that scream life. I pull from family stories, like my nan’s South Sea Islander tales, or archival Yuwi artefacts.”
He pauses, thoughtful. “For the Biennale, I yarned with elders and queer mob, making sure it’s not just my voice. Rememory got me digging into suppressed histories, like queer Indigenous love or our connection to Country. It’s heavy, but joyful—my art’s about resilience, not just pain.” Ethan’s studio’s a vibe—laptop humming, music blasting. “I’m always sketching plants too—grevilleas, mangroves, tying us to land,” he says.
Ethan’s Sydney Art Hotspots
You’ve been to Sydney for art shows before. Where should tourists go to feel the city’s creative pulse?
“Sydney’s got this unreal energy,” Ethan says, eyes sparkling. “Carriageworks in Redfern’s a must—not just coz my mural’s there! It’s raw, with Blak performances and art. Then, Newtown’s laneways for street murals—King Street’s got deadly ones. White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale’s wild for Chinese contemporary art, and their teahouse does cracking dumplings.”
He sips his coffee. “4A Centre in Haymarket’s got Asian-Australian stories that hit home, like my South Sea Islander roots. And don’t miss Badu Gili at the Opera House—those nightly First Nations projections are pure magic. Grab a feed at The Rocks after—The Glenmore’s got views that’ll make you wanna paint!” Ethan’s picks blend gritty and grand, perfect for art-hungry tourists.
What’s Next for Ethan Tjampitjinpa?
With the Biennale buzzing, what’s on the horizon?
“I’m just warming up,” Ethan grins. “After the Biennale, I’m planning a solo show at a Sydney gallery, maybe late 2026, diving into South Sea Islander stories—portraits with sugar cane vibes. I’m keen to do more murals, maybe back in Mackay to bring it home.”
He gets serious for a sec. “I wanna keep pushing queer Indigenous voices for the next gen. Art’s my truth-telling—love, culture, climate, all of it. I’m working on projects to protect Torres Strait from rising seas.” Ethan’s optimism shines. “The Biennale’s a platform to shout these stories loud, and I’m not slowing down.”
Tips for Your Biennale Art Chase
Ethan’s passion’s contagious, so follow his lead! Hit Carriageworks early for his mural and performances—train to Redfern’s your mate. Pair White Rabbit with a Chippendale cafe crawl. 4A Centre’s perfect for an arvo in Haymarket, near Chinatown’s eats. Catch Badu Gili at sunset, then a Rocks pub dinner. Don’t cram it all in—I tried that once and was knackered! Check the Biennale app for Ethan’s show times at White Bay, and book tickets for ticketed gigs. His art’s a love letter to resilience, so soak it up and let Sydney’s creative heart inspire you.
