Summary

Poster featuring an portrait image of Monga Khan, produced by artist Peter Drew in 2016. It is part of his 'Aussie' poster series which use historical portrait images of Australians from diverse non-white backgrounds coupled with the word 'AUSSIE' to make a statement about definitions of Australian identity, citizenship and belonging in a contemporary context.

Monga Khan has been claimed as an Afghani Muslim man although National Archives documents suggest he was born in northern India. He entered Australia in 1916 by gaining a Dictation Test exemption to the Immigration Restriction Act as did others like him by demonstrating their national economic benefits through trades such as cameleering and hawking. Drew's aim has been to turn Monga Khan into an 'Aussie folk hero' and, he states: 'in doing so, use mythology to embrace our neglected histories and expand Australia's identity.' [Peter Drew's website: www.peterdrewarts.com] His posters have appeared around Melbourne and other Australian cities, provoking many positive and negative public responses in the forms of counter-posters and graffiti.

Peter Drew is an Adelaide-based cross-media artist whose street art has raised his profile both as artist and social commentator.

Physical Description

Brown paper poster with upper case text printed in white on black dot output. Features a bust profile of a man wearing a red turban.

Significance

This set of posters by Peter Drew represents a significant and high profile community artist grassroots response to issues relating to refugees, racism and national identity. The posters have been highly visible and provocative interventions on the walls of Australian city streets. Drew's work has had a national presence, and been interacted with via imitation, graffiti, and layered forms of commentary.

More Information