PICA marks the opening of Roberta Joy Rich’s solo exhibition The Purple Shall Govern with a Welcome to Country by Whadjuk Noongar Elder Sandra Harben followed by an in-conversation with the artist. Inspired by surviving evidence of South Africa’s 1989 ‘Purple Rain’ Anti-Apartheid protest, The Purple Shall Govern explores historic connections between settler-nation Australia and South Africa and invites viewers to consider activism, power and public space.

Building on their recent discussions in the lead up to the exhibition’s presentation at PICA, Rich and Harben will share stories and reflections on Australia’s silent Apartheid and their family histories in Boorloo and South Africa, marking the opening of the exhibition on Whadjuk Country with conversation and connection.