Celebrate the launch of 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art with a dynamic weekend of thought-provoking conversations.
Across two inspiring days, hear from curators, artists, Indigenous custodians, art historians, and anthropologists as they delve into the stories, practices, and themes that shape this groundbreaking exhibition.
The gallery will be open from 11am–5pm on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June, with engaging talks scheduled throughout each day.
Each session runs for 45 minutes.
Please note that capacity is limited and bookings are essential.
Sessions
Saturday, 31 May 2025
Women’s Art Practice and Cultural Knowledge
Tradition today in South East Australia and Arnhem Land: weaving, shell-necklace making, cloak-making, and working with kelp.
Sandra Aitken, Lola Greeno, Mandy Nicholson and Kathy Wirrpanda.
The Language of Yolŋu Art 1
The link between art, song and dance, layers of meaning, and different clan designs.
Jason Dhawululbulun, Michael Mungula and Harriet Watts, in conversation with Aaron Corn.
Mining the Archive
Calling out scientific racism at University of Melbourne and beyond through art.
Brook Garru Andrew, Greg Lehman and Yhonnie Scarce, in conversation with Lisa Slade.
Cultural Astronomy in Zenadth Kes and Beyond
The importance of cultural astronomy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with a focus on Brian Robinson’s portfolio.
Brian Robinson in conversation with Duane Hamacher.
Tiwi Art and Culture Across Time
Approaches to Tiwi tradition and their transmission across different mediums.
Johnathon World Peace Bush and Pedro Wonaeamirri, in conversation with Judith Ryan.
Sunday, 1 June 2025
Art of the South East, Then and Now
Art traditions from the South East of Australia and their continuation in the present.
Maree Clarke and Tiriki Onus, in conversation with Shanysa McConville.
Photography: Beyond the Colonial Gaze
An exploration of Ricky Maynard’s series 'Returning to Places that Name Us' and 'Portrait of a distant land.'
Ricky Maynard in conversation with Marcia Langton.
The Language of Yolŋu Art 2
The Yolŋu Land Rights case, the Yirrkala Bark Petition, the recent Yunupiŋu High Court Judgement, and the importance of the Donald Thomson collection.
Djambawa Marawili and Will Stubbs, in conversation with Aaron Corn.
Art of Empire and Brutal Contested History
Portraits of known ancestors in Lutruwita and early Sydney; the absence of the black body in later colonial art.
Alisa Bunbury, Greg Lehman and r e a, in conversation with Lisa Slade.
Playfulness and Humour in Indigenous Art
Subverting stereotypes of First People, and dispelling myths about Australia’s history.
Johnathon World Peace Bush, Gordon Hookey and Brian Robinson, in conversation with Judith Ryan.
