Daniel Mudle Cunningham: True Colours

Inspired by the Cronulla riots a decade ago, Sydney artist Daniel Mudie Cunningham has reimagined singer Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours set in the beachside suburb that is awash with the true blue colours of Australian nationalism.

Since its release, Lauper’s song has become a gay anthem and is often used in support of her activism for LGBTQI communities.

In his version of True Colours, Cunningham amplified these connotations as a device to ‘queer’ the distorted symbols of Australian nationalism that initiated the homosocial mob violence and territorial tribalism on display at Cronulla that day.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.