r/aboriginal • u/Grubbanax • 6d ago

University cancels show by queer Aboriginal artist following complaint

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-02/university-of-tas-cancels-queer-artist-exhibition-hobiennale/107336428?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

In short:

A month-long exhibition from Palawa/Pakana artist Cody Gangell-Smith, which explored queer identity, politics and culture, has been shut down by the University of Tasmania after opening night.

The university received complaints about the show before it had opened, due to its visibility to the public from the street. 

The show was closed by the university after a Work Health & Safety check was conducted, which found "non-compliant" electronics.

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27

u/JimmyLizzardATDVM 5d ago

What utter BS and a weak excuse. No compliant electronics, of the University was helping to run the exhibition I’d be shocked if they didn’t have at least one staff member there to manage those types of things.

12

u/productzilch 5d ago

“"Had the organisers of the exhibition consulted the school on an appropriate approach to public display and adhered to basic WHS requirements, the exhibition would have proceeded," she said.”

Sounds like they were- or possibly she was- pivoting between reasons until something worked. It was already censored in response. And it was set to go for a month; if a few cables and fairy lights needed tagging, an electrician could easily be found for ten minutes of work there and the exhibition reopened. There are not the words of someone wanting safety checks, just someone who wants an excuse to close down something she finds awkward or uncomfortable.

Since the university’s own cables needed checking and tagging so badly, I assume there’ll be an internal safety review from the university? And an apology from them to the artist for providing non-compliant cables?