65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art examines the rise to prominence of First Peoples’ art across Australia in the face of a brutal history of colonisation and proclaims the importance of Indigenous knowledge and agency. The exhibition features more than 400 artworks, including important public and private loans and new commissions.

The exhibition will reveal rarely-seen artworks and cultural objects from the University of Melbourne’s collections, awakening us to their power and significance.

Complementing the exhibition are important educational resources for primary, secondary as well as tertiary students, designed to build a deeper understanding of Indigenous art, history and culture. These educational resources will continue to be available beyond the life of the exhibition. They are developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne’s signature Ngarrngga Project, which builds innovative curriculum resources in collaboration with Indigenous Knowledge Experts.

Curated by Distinguished Associate Provost Professor Marcia Langton AO, Senior Curator Judith Ryan AM and Associate Curator Shanysa McConville in consultation with Indigenous custodians.

Publication

A black book cover with black and white text of title of book

65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art

Edited by Distinguished Associate Provost Professor Marcia Langton AO and Senior Curator Judith Ryan AM, the book is a scholarly work offering new insights into the first art of this country. Featuring writing by twenty-five leading thinkers across generations and disciplines, the publication celebrates Indigenous Australian art across time, media and language groups.

Published by the University of Melbourne with Thames and Hudson

Purchase

Banner image credit: Betty Muffler / Pitjantjatjara, born 1945, Maringka Burton / Pitjantjatjara, born 1950, Ngangkari Ngura (Healing Country), 2022, synthetic, polymer paint on linen, 300 × 500 cm. The University of Melbourne Art Collection.