Blak Douglas was born Adam Douglas Hill at Bungarrabee (Blacktown), NSW, to a Dhungatti Aboriginal father and Caucasian mother, and he carries English, German, Irish and Scottish ancestry. The moniker ‘Blak Douglas’ was conceived of in 2014, in honour of his dominant genealogies. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Western Sydney University Nepean in 1994, he observed a family of artisans, and became self-practiced in painting. His style is generally influenced by politics and social justice.
Blak Douglas won the Kilgour Prize 2019, the STILL Award 2020 and the Archibald Prize 2022. He has exhibited extensively, including at the 3rd National Indigenous Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia, TARNANTHI festival in Adelaide, and AAMU in the Netherlands. He is represented by CATO Gallery in Surry Hills, Sydney, and is collected by several major institutions.
Blak Douglas is also a classically trained Yidaki (Didgeridoo) player. He has performed at various festivals, opening ceremonies and tours, including Festival of the Dreaming (Bangarra), the final of Australian Idol, The Deadlys, the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony, Requiem by Peter Sculthorpe, the Sydney welcome for Madiba Nelson Mandela, and international tours with NAISDA, Matthew Doyle Dancers, Albert David, Musica Viva and Paul Jarman Projects.
