CONTEMPORARY ART STOCKROOM Stuart McLachlan

Sacred Grounds 2024, Arches watercolour rag paper, pressed paper, acrylic paint, glue, 54cm x 40cm x 40 cm

All continents, including Australia, have been ravaged by the expanse of colonialism and conquest. The seemingly innocuous little white churches that dot rural landscapes are a powerful symbol of this. They embed themselves, unnaturally forged by missionaries and religions foreign to the new worlds they overtake. Existing cultures and religions are quickly supplanted and suppressed as primitive by foreign beliefs from foreign lands. Each claiming 'sacred ground' while shadowing the beliefs of those native to those lands with little regard or forward thinking. While I have absolutely no problem with people’s choice to enjoy their respective religions, I have always been astounded but not surprised by the arrogance of this insidious and callous use of religion as a tool of control.