A groundbreaking art exhibition that generated significant public discussion in Warrnambool is now embarking on a national tour, marking a major milestone for the city's art gallery. The exhibition, "Kait James: Red Flags," represents the first time the Warrnambool Art Gallery has launched a nationally touring exhibition.
Curated by the Warrnambool Art Gallery, the exhibition opened this month in Ararat and will continue its journey to Wangaratta, Orange, Tamworth, Adelaide, and Hobart. The show originally premiered at the Warrnambool Art Gallery in October 2024, featuring the work of Wadawurrung artist Kait James, who combines autobiography, incisive analysis, and wry humor in her re-appropriation of culturally insensitive, mass-produced souvenirs from the 1950s to 1980s.
The exhibition became one of two recent shows at the Warrnambool gallery that prompted intense public debate about what constitutes art – an age-old question that has been discussed for centuries. Gallery officials maintained that inspiring critical thinking and discussion is precisely what art is meant to do. The controversy arose after visitors viewed artwork from both James and high-profile New York artist Claudia Gold, also known as Claw Money.
Public reaction to the exhibitions was notably divided. A regular gallery visitor told The Standard in January that there was too much modern "political statement" artwork being displayed. The criticism wasn't limited to these particular exhibitions, as the gallery's current exhibition featuring a mosaic piece has also drawn negative feedback from some community members.
Despite the criticism, many others praised the gallery and its bold programming choices. The controversy has not deterred the institution from pursuing its contemporary art mission, and the national tour demonstrates the broader art world's recognition of the exhibition's significance.
Simultaneously, the gallery has achieved another prestigious milestone by loaning one of its most important and highly valued works to the University of Melbourne's Potter Museum of Art. The painting "Minjah in the Old Time," created by Robert Dowling in 1856, features prominently in the museum's flagship exhibition "65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art," which opened following a $14 million redevelopment.
Aaron Bradbrook, director of the Warrnambool Art Gallery, emphasized that both exhibitions represent important contributions to First Nations truth-telling and demonstrate how the gallery can engage meaningfully on the national stage. "Both exhibitions occurring simultaneously highlights the value of what we're doing with our contemporary program and what we're doing with our collection," he explained.
Bradbrook noted the historic significance of the touring exhibition, stating, "From my understanding, Red Flags is the first national touring exhibition that the Warrnambool Art Gallery has ever had. Other institutions are taking notice and they want to bring the content that we are curating to their venues and to their audiences."
The director explained how these opportunities reflect the gallery's dual mission of honoring its historical collection while engaging with contemporary artistic themes. "When Minjah in the Old Time was acquired in the 19th century, it was a contemporary work and over time, it's become a much-loved favorite," he said. "Supporting contemporary art today is part of that same tradition we have as a public institution where we acquire works of art for present and for future audiences, both locally but also nationally and internationally."
For artist Kait James, the national tour represents a significant career milestone. "Red Flags is Kait's first solo exhibition outside of Victoria, so it's a momentous part of her career that we are honored to be a part of," Bradbrook noted. The success also benefits the broader community, as he explained: "It's also great for the gallery and for Warrnambool as a city, where we are building momentum and significantly increasing our national exposure."
The touring exhibition aligns with the gallery's strategic vision for growth and recognition. "That's part of our strategic plan, to look at innovative partnerships across national and international platforms to build the brand and reinforce Warrnambool's position as an innovative cultural destination," Bradbrook concluded.
The "Kait James: Red Flags" exhibition is touring nationally through NETS Victoria, with support from multiple funding sources. The project has received assistance from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the Visions of Australia program. Additional development support came from NETS Victoria's Exhibition Development Fund, which is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
