Six Indigenous exhibitions in Canberra you need to know about
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There’s a profound beauty that lives within Indigenous art – a layered and rich history that takes on a colourful path of understanding.
But within these visually captivating spaces lives a discomfort, signaling a need for continuous healing, conversations, and platforms for Indigenous artists to share their truths. Through these exhibitions, we as visitors can begin to reflect – but most importantly – listen to First Nations stories that proudly echo throughout our city.
Here’s our round-up of exhibitions that act as a breathtaking starting point – but by no means point toward an end.
Emily Kam Kngwarray (National Gallery of Australia)
Emily Kam Kngwarray celebrates the timeless art of a pre-eminent Australian artist, one of the world’s most significant contemporary painters to emerge in the 20th century. A senior Anmatyerre woman, Kngwarray’s devoted her final years to painting, creating works that encapsulate the experience and authority she gained throughout an extraordinary life. Showcasing an extensive range, this exhbition brings together her most important works.
Until April 2024 | Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland (National Museum of Australia)
In this three-part exhibition, Indigenous artists forge a path of deeply personal stories that speak to Country, culture, self-identity and the weight of the word ‘belonging’ that is so often felt by First Nations people. In between the vibrant shades, rich colour palette and hypotonic patterns is a sense of resilience that what was once lost has been reclaimed – prepare to be inspired.
Until Sunday 18 February | Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
First Australians (National Museum of Australia)
In this free exhibition, First Nations stories are powerfully honoured across two gallery floors, including the works from the ‘Talking Blak’ exhibition. As you make your way through the collection, audiences will be guided by the echoes of Indigenous voices that intimately confront their history and the open wounds left at the hands of colonisation. The visual artworks will continue this journey – giving a voice to land rights, sovereignty, the Stolen Generations and deaths in custody. A strikingly and deeply intimate lens that opens itself up to audiences, this exhibition is open seven days a week.
Open daily | Lawson Crescent, Acton | nma.gov.au
Mabo v Queensland (No. 2): 30th Anniversary (National Library of Australia)
The Mabo v Queensland (No. 2) decision was handed down in the High Court of Australia on 3 June 1992. ‘Mabo’, as it has come to be known, altered the foundation of land law in Australia. It provided official recognition of the inherent rights of Indigenous Australians to their traditional lands. Open daily at the National Library of Australia, this exhbition is an extensive collection of material relating to the Mabo decision and its lead applicant, Eddie Koiki Mabo. Head along to learn more about this landmark moment in Australian legal history.
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this display contains material which may be considered culturally sensitive, including the depictions of people who have passed away.
Open daily | Parkes Place West, Parkes | nla.gov.au
Statement: Jack Green’s Paintings (Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House)
Head along to the Museum of Australian Democracy to see this powerful exhbition. Starting as a submission to the parliamentary inquiry into the destruction of 46,000-year-old caves at Juukan Gorge in 2020, Jack Green’s art tells stories of dispossession, destruction and the sadness of First Nations peoples prevented from protecting and caring for Country.
Open daily | 18 King George Terrace, Parkes | moadoph.gov.au
Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery
For 32 years, the Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery has been showcasing bold and exciting first nations art in Canberra – a legacy that shows no signs of slowing down. The extensive collections that call the gallery their temporary home features works from acclaimed artists and communities and art centres around Australia. With new works making their way into the gallery every four to six weeks, you are in no short supply of fresh stories to immerse yourself within. This inspiring documentation and preservation of First Nation voices is best viewed unhurried.
Open Saturday to Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm and and Monday-Thursday by appointment | 19 O’Hanlon Place Gold Creek Village, Nicholls | aboriginaldream
Feature image: Emily Kam Kngwarray (Anmatyerr people), Ntange Dreaming 1989, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Purchased 1989. © Emily Kam Kngwarray/Copyright Agency.
