Nullians
Nullians is a satirical exhibition by Noongar artist Kamsani Bin Salleh that examines the ideologies underpinning Australia as an extraction colony. Through comic-style illustrations, Bin Salleh explores complex histories of colonisation, identity and power with humour, wit and disarming simplicity.
The exhibition centres on the Nullians—formless, expressive characters whose name references the colonial fiction of “land belonging to no one.” These figures are simultaneously no one and everyone: the artist and the observer, the First Nations person and the settler, the coloniser and the colonised, the status quo and those pushed to its margins. Through their conversations, they invite audiences to question inherited narratives and consider the ongoing impacts of colonialism.
Originally created out of necessity to articulate the artist’s perspective, the Nullians first appeared as drawings on discarded paper, receipts and tissues before finding an audience through social media. These self-published works have since gained national recognition, with selections exhibited alongside Australia’s leading political cartoonists at the Museum of Australian Democracy.
Using humour as a vehicle for difficult conversations, Nullians navigates subjects ranging from everyday microaggressions to genocide, weaving together historical events and contemporary popular culture. The result is a body of work that makes challenging ideas accessible while prompting reflection on Australia’s past and present.
Program details
Kamsani Bin Salleh (Kambarni) is descended from the Ballardong Noongar people and Nimunburr and Yawuru people of the Kimberley region in Western Australia.
Kambarni is an Australian Indigenous artist whose multifaceted work as an illustrator, muralist, and political cartoonist presents a powerful vision for a new Australian identity—one that deeply honors its Indigenous roots. Through his art, which seamlessly blends traditional Indigenous symbolism with the vibrant beauty of Australian flora and fauna, Kam invites all Australians to embrace a shared history and a more profound connection to the land. His work not only captures the aesthetic richness of the natural world but also serves as a call for inclusivity and recognition of the diverse cultural narratives that shape the nation. By engaging with his art, Australians are encouraged to adopt an identity that is multifaceted, inclusive, and deeply connected to the stories and landscapes that define the country.
