$1750

Laurie Nilsen grew up in rural Queensland where barbed wire was a regular feature. In making his emus from barbed wire, Laurie has made the harsh boundary marker his own, a powerful symbol of the artist’s identity and a symbol of regeneration. In placing the emu sculptures in public spaces he urges us to consider notions of entrapment and the resilience of Indigenous people.

“…it's about entrapment, and that goes along with barbed wire …You know, barbed wire's not only meant to keep cattle in−it's meant to keep Aboriginal people out too ...”

The artist 2013