Joel Coleman, We know what is happening, we know what must be done, what is not known is if we will do it, 2023, Charcoal on acrylic primed plasterboard, PVC pipe, water, 1600x1200mm

Created on acrylic primed plasterboard using charcoal powder, the work depicts two characters in ideological opposition to each other. Utilising soft brushes, erasers and air-blowers on a fragile support material allowed for the water feature of the work to create a self-destructive mechanism. The work itself questions how humanity’s intangible technological understandings are falling victim to what we know today as tangible technological advancements, leading to the seemingly self-destructive tendency of humanity.

Joel Coleman artwork featuring two figures

Acknowledgement of Country

UNSW School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.

We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.