Artists statement

Megan Cope is a Quandamooka woman from North Stradbroke Island,
Queensland. Her work explores the intricate relationship between history,
environment, geography and identity. Cope’s work has been exhibited in
Australia and internationally and she is a member of Aboriginal art collective
proppaNOW.

The Blaktism is a satirical video work responding to the artist’s experience
obtaining her ‘Certificate of Aboriginality’. The work reveals the racism
embedded in prescribed notions of authenticity and Aboriginality by white
experts in the everyday Australian cultural landscape.

The artist decided to make this work after her community elders explained
the process of confirmation. The thought of being legitimately certified at 30
years of age spurred an overwhelming sense of doubt despite having grown up connected to country and family.