About Glenn Loughrey

'Blak n Blues' Collaboration

Proud Wiradjuri man Uncle Glenn Loughrey is an artist, public speaker, published author, and poet.  Loughrey has been recognised as a finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Paddington Art Prize, the Mandorla Art Prize, and the Blake Art Prize, amongst others.  

Visitors to Melbourne’s St Paul’s Cathedral are met at the door by a ‘permanent acknowledgement of country’.  The series of glass panels for the narthex screen, or cathedral entrance, designed by Uncle Glenn depict the traditional lands on which the building stands.

“My art, and poetry, is an expression of my journey of my family and my mob. It reflects the interaction between the dominant culture and the oldest living culture on the planet. It explores the impact of that interaction from the Indigenous point of view and its purpose is to engage, challenge and initiate action leading to unification and reconciliation.

I use a combination of perspective and pattern thinking: the idea that there are patterns below the country, above the country and across the country.  My art is political because I believe all of life is political if lived consciously or mindfully, or as I understand Aboriginal thinking, with deep listening (whin-nga-rra) to the country or the dirt that gave you birth.”

Listen to me speak about my work on ABC Radio National The Drawing Room, 2020.   Download and print this bio. 

'A Portrait of Australia With the Important Bits Missing'

Uncle Glenn founded the Wominjeka Garden, a reconciliation garden dedicated to the process of reconciliation with First Nations People, and Murnong Art Gallery, in the inner east of Naarm / Melbourne.  Building on the achievements of the Garden and Gallery, he then worked tirelessly to establish Murnong First People’s Gathering Place.  MurnongFPGP provides a culturally safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and also supports non-Indigenous people to gain greater understanding of Aboriginal history, culture, and current issues.

Glenn Loughrey is an Honorary Associate Professor at the Australian National University, and an Anglican priest.  In June 2024 he was commission in the newly created role of Archdeacon of Reconciliation, First People’s Recognition and Treaty for the state of Victoria.   

He is also on several boards and committees including:

  • Water Justice Hub, ANU Canberra,
  • International Clean Water Alliance, 
  • Community and First Nations working groups for the Royal Australasian College of Pathology.