In a move that underscores its commitment to Indigenous art, Tate has announced the joint purchase of Archie Moore’s acclaimed artwork “Kith and Kin” in partnership with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). Moore’s work, which garnered international attention and won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, is a profound exploration of ancestry, identity, and the enduring ties that bind humanity.
“Kith and Kin” is a deeply personal and political piece that spans 600,000 years and traces 2,400 family generations through a hand-drawn genealogical chart in chalk across expansive walls. The artwork, which reflects Moore’s Kamilaroi, Bigambul, and British heritage, serves as both a celebration of kinship and a poignant memorial to the injustices faced by First Nations peoples. The acquisition by Tate and QAGOMA ensures that audiences will see this powerful meditation on human connection in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Tate Director Maria Balshaw expressed her gratitude to Creative Australia and other partners for facilitating the acquisition, emphasizing the growing collaboration between Tate and Australian art institutions.
“Sharing this great work with QAGOMA reflects the ever-stronger ties between Tate and our fellow art museums in Australia,” Balshaw said. She also highlighted Tate’s ongoing efforts to represent more contemporary artists from Indigenous communities worldwide in its collection.
Reflecting on the acquisition, Archie Moore expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to have “Kith and Kin” displayed in Australia and internationally. “I am so grateful for this generous donation that enables ‘Kith and Kin’ to be seen both in Australia and overseas in the near and distant future,” Moore said. The work’s upcoming exhibition in Brisbane, curated by QAGOMA’s Ellie Buttrose, will begin in August 2025, offering audiences a chance to engage with Moore’s exploration of history, identity, and the complex connections between Australia and the United Kingdom.
Tate’s acquisition of “Kith and Kin” continues its growing focus on Indigenous artists, following successful recent acquisitions and collaborations. The piece’s ability to evoke deep reflection on the vast span of human history and ancestry is expected to make it a centrepiece of Tate’s and QAGOMA’s contemporary art collections for years to come.
Archie Moore is an Australian artist known for his powerful exploration of identity, history, and cultural heritage. Moore was born in 1970 in Toowoomba, Queensland, and is of Kamilaroi and Bigambul heritage. His work often delves into the complexities of Indigenous identity, colonialism, and personal ancestry, using a variety of mediums, including painting, installation, and sculpture.
Moore’s art is characterized by its deep engagement with themes of memory and the legacy of colonization. He frequently addresses the intersection of his Indigenous and British ancestry. Throughout his career, he has become known for creating works that challenge viewers to reflect on the ongoing impacts of historical injustices.
One of his most notable works, “Kith and Kin,” which won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, exemplifies his exploration of genealogy and the connections that bind humanity across time. Like much of Moore’s oeuvre, this work is a meditation on the enduring ties between past and present, offering personal and universal reflections on identity and belonging.
Moore has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally, earning recognition for his thoughtful and provocative contributions to contemporary art. His work is in significant collections and featured in numerous exhibitions, solidifying his reputation as a leading voice in Indigenous art and history discourse.
Top Photo: Archie Moore / kith and kin 2024 / Australia Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024 / Photographer: Andrea Rossetti / © the artist / Image courtesy of the artist and The Commercial