Tate is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Archie Moore’s monumental artwork “kith and kin,” achieved in partnership with Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Australia. This landmark acquisition is bolstered by the support of Creative Australia and the Australian government, forming a collaboration that guarantees the lasting legacy of “kith and kin” on the global stage.
Archie Moore’s “kith and kin,” which earned the prestigious Golden Lion award for Best National Participation at the 2024 La Biennale de Venezia, encapsulates the vastness of First Nations Australian history while speaking to the shared experiences of the human family across cultures.
In “kith and kin,” Moore meticulously maps 65,000 years and 2,400 family generations through a genealogical chart drawn by hand in chalk across extensive walls. Reflecting the artist’s Kamilaroi, Bigambul, and British heritage, the artwork raises global awareness about the significance of kinship, while serving as a poignant memorial to the historical and ongoing injustices faced by First Nations people. This work is a continuation of Moore’s profound exploration of history and identity, a theme he has cultivated over three decades of artistic practice.
The partnership between Tate and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art is poignantly mirrored in “kith and kin’s” exploration of maternal First Nations (Kamilaroi/Bigambul) and paternal British convict lines, gesturing towards the intricate connections that shape and bind Australia and the United Kingdom as nations.
The acquisition of “kith and kin” underscores Tate’s deepening commitment to indigenous artists. Building on the success of recent acquisitions, Tate aims to significantly increase the representation of contemporary artists from indigenous communities worldwide in its galleries.
Reacting to the acquisition news, Archie Moore expressed his gratitude:
“I am profoundly thankful for this generous support, which ensures that ‘kith and kin’ can be experienced both in Australia and internationally, now and in the years to come.”
Tate Director Maria Balshaw commented:
“Archie Moore’s ‘kith and kin’ is an intimate yet profoundly political work that offers a stirring meditation on humanity’s interconnectedness through the ages. Our shared presentation of this significant piece with QAGOMA reflects the ever-strengthening bonds between Tate and our art museum counterparts in Australia.
“This acquisition builds on the success of our recent collaborative efforts, such as the joint acquisitions with the MCA in Sydney in partnership with Qantas, and our forthcoming project with the NGA in Canberra to bring Emily Kam Kngwarray’s work to Tate Modern. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Creative Australia and all our friends and colleagues in the region who have fostered these flourishing relationships.”
Chris Saines CNZM, Director of Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, remarked:
“Experiencing Archie Moore’s ‘kith and kin’ at the Venice Biennale was a powerful and moving event, resonating deeply with the weight of history and ancestry. Moore’s remarkable effort to chart a personal genealogy spanning over two thousand generations conjures an extraordinary vision of human connection through deep time.
“‘kith and kin’ possesses a rare ability to invoke silence and introspection. We are profoundly honored to be joint custodians of this historic work, and we eagerly anticipate showcasing the project, curated by QAGOMA’s Curator of Contemporary Australian Art, Ellie Buttrose, in Brisbane from August 2025.”
Following its presentation at the Australia Pavilion in Venice, “kith and kin” will be displayed at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane during 2025-2026.
