Michael Cook

Born 1968 South West Queensland
Michael Cook is a Bidjara photographer whose staged photographic works challenge historical narratives and contemporary perceptions of First Nations identity. Since emerging in 2010, Cook has developed a distinctive practice using carefully constructed tableaux to interrogate stereotypes and reimagine colonial encounters. His breakthrough series Civilised (2012) reversed the colonial gaze by depicting Aboriginal figures in suburban settings, questioning whose culture is truly "civilized." This body of work established his signature approach of using fabricated scenarios to reveal uncomfortable truths about Australian history.

Cook's recent series Object and Individuation continue this critical investigation. Object examines how First Nations people have been historically positioned as subjects for study and display, while Individuation explores the tension between collective cultural identity and individual agency in contemporary Indigenous experience. His work featured in the 19th Biennale of Sydney (2014), APT7 at QAGOMA (2012), and unDisclosed: 2nd National Indigenous Art Triennialat the National Gallery of Australia (2012-13). In 2011, Cook received the Deadly Award for Visual Artist of the Year. His photographs are held in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, QAGOMA, and the British Museum.
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