“As a child, I was repeatedly told by my father that I had an Aboriginal uncle. I grew up until the age of 14 believing that in fact I was partly Aboriginal by blood and in turn embraced my perceived heritage. It wasn't until I asked for more details as a young teenager that I was confronted by an amused and dismissive father, laughing as he said: “I never said that”. In this exhibition I take a closer analysis of what it is to be influenced by misguiding role models and the potential psychologically damaging effects on misguided youth. These works are atheistic explorations analysing identity, culture, mythology, heritage, parenting and stereotypes.”

– Anthony Lister

Based on this particular sense of misdirection drawn from his own experience and memories, “Slither Between the Blinds Shows Our Fears” sees Anthony Lister conveying a reflection infused with a range of vivid emotions which, while personal in origin, are also universal enough to resonate deeply with us all.

Expanding on previously explored themes, the artist has created an entirely new body of works for this exhibition, comprising a series of painted canvasses and a central installation of a sculptural nature. Conveying the habitual instinctual urgency of his visual language – tumultuous and mordant on the surface, yet imbued with a captivating poetic uniqueness – these works feature a wide range of symbolic references from his personal life along with others that play with some key (and stereotypical) elements of Aboriginal and Australian iconographies. 

Constituting a personal journey of reflection, “Slither Between the Blinds Shows Our Fears” thus presents an intimate portrait on revelation, identity and purpose while also expressing the artist's own approach to contemporary mythology.