Destiny Deacon

Photographer: Jacqui Shelton

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this post contains images, and names of people who have passed on.

A proud KuKu and Erub/Mer woman, Destiny Deacon (1957–2024) was one of Australia’s most influential artists and activists.

Coming out as a lesbian in the 1970s, Deacon was a fierce advocate for First Nations queer visibility. In the 1990s, she coined the term "Blak" as a statement of reclaimed political identity, reshaping Australian culture through her photography, video, and performance art. Using kitsch souvenirs and domestic props, her work confronted racism and homophobia with sharp, dark humour and unapologetic honesty.

Destiny Deacon’s legacy as a trailblazing artist and champion of Blak lesbian visibility continues to inspire generations of creatives.