Collection Details

Name/TitleStop! There's no need to shoot the natives.

About this objectThe interpretation of significant historical artworks is a potent artistic tool for commentary on Australian history. This artwork engages with both the iconic 1902 image of Cook’s arrival by Australian impressionist Emanuel Phillips Fox, The Landing of Captain Cook at Botany Bay, 1770 and the more recent 2006 post-colonial interpretation by Indigenous artist Daniel Boyd, We call them pirates out here. In Rew’s linocut, Cook is seen admonishing his crew as they are about to indulge their hunting impulse. Their targets are two kangaroos ready to take flight. One is from a John Gould lithograph and the other from a George Stubbs painting. The latter is one of the first representations of the giant macropod and the painting’s recent sale to Australia has been stalled by the British government because of its historical significance. Rew’s image challenges the recent decision by the NSW government to allow amateur hunters to cull feral animals in National Parks without supervision and regulation and thus placing the safety of native wildlife in serious jeopardy. The work was acquired through the 2013 Blacktown City Art Prize, winning the Works on Paper section. The work was exhibited at the Blacktown Arts Centre for a second time as part of Blacktown City Council’s 2014 Recent Acquisitions exhibition.

MakerHanks, Rew

Maker RoleArtist

Date Made2013

Medium and MaterialsPrinting ink on paper

Place MadeOceania, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney

Inscription and MarksTitle

TechniqueDrawn and printed

MeasurementsImage: 78 h x 109 w cm
Frame: 110 h x 138 w x 4 d cm

Named CollectionBlacktown City Art Collection

Credit Line© Rew Hanks
Acquired 2013, Blacktown City Art Prize exhibition
Blacktown City ArtCollection

Object TypeLinocut print

Object numberBCC HNK 001