Always Was, Always Will Be- My Reflection

I went to the Always Was, Always Will Be installation by artist Reko Rennie, located at Taylor Square. This vibrantly colored neon pink, blue, and black building in a busy area, is one that I have noticed various times but have never know what the building was, or what it meant.

The City of Sydney developed a program called Streetware which invites upcoming artists to create inspiring, and diverse artwork all around known and staple locations in Sydney, which is how Reko Rennie was chosen to design the art on the building in 2012. Reko Rennie, a Melbourne born Kamilaroi/Gamilaray/Gummaroi, was never actually formally trained in art. He became passionate about graffiti as a teenage boy and since then, has excelled in this inventive and innovative form of art. All of his artwork touches upon issues surrounding the struggles of being an urban Aboriginal in current day Australia. Reko Rennie has created a common theme to his art by expressing concerns relative to Aboriginal identity, rights, land, and lost generation. He uses neon colors to produce a more modern and contemporary version of Aboriginal traditions to incorporate current day affairs. In this particular piece of art, Reko Rennie states that the geometric diamonds symbolize his involvement in the NSW area and the traditional markings of the Kamilaroi people (City Art Sydney, 2012). The front of the building says in big letters, “Always Was, Always Will Be”. The meaning behind these words is that Australia was the land of the Gadigal, is the land of the Gadigal, and always will be the land of the Gadigal.

I thought that the abstract essence of this artwork successfully blends together the nature of Aboriginal tradition and the contemporary Aboriginal culture. I also believe that the short but relevant words “Always Was, Always Will Be” is a powerful line that holds an outstanding amount of meaning. Since the Gadigal people have always lived in Sydney, the location of this artwork is appropriate, given that the building is in a highly populated area and is seen by a large amount of people every day. While the meaning behind the words on the building are saying that this is the land of the Gadigal, I see this piece of art as a common ground between the modern Australian and the Aboriginal people and is a way to bring the two cultures together. One aspect of this art work that disappointed me was the fact that is an iconic and well known piece of art, yet the building itself looks to be abandoned. I gazed inside some of the windows (as seen in the online gallery photos) and there was nothing to it besides broken walls and rundown staircases. I believe that a piece of art with a message as strong as this one has should be on a building with more value. Aside from the vandalism on the building and the lack of relevancy of T2 building, I see Reko Rennie’s Always Was, Always Will Be installation as a powerful piece of art with an honorable meaning.