Skip to content

ClosedReopening May 2025

Abstract artwork featuring a variety of swirling, concentric circles in muted tones of gray, white, lavender, and beige. The circles overlap and intertwine, creating a textured, layered effect across a rectangular canvas.

65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art

When

Location

The Potter Museum of Art,
Cnr of Swanston St and Masson Rd, Parkville

Admission

Free
  • Wheelchair Accessible

65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art celebrates the brilliance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art while confronting the dark heart of Australia’s colonial history and proclaims the importance of Indigenous knowledge and agency. The exhibition features more than 450 works from the first peoples of Australia, including rarely-seen artworks and cultural objects from the University of Melbourne’s collections, 193 important loans from 77 private and public lenders and six new commissions.

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 Associate Provost and Distinguished Professor Marcia Langton AO, Senior Curator Judith Ryan AM, and Associate Curator Shanysa McConville – in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and custodians of art traditions – the exhibition explores the recognition of Indigenous art and its rise to prominence globally.

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

Our learning programs

Supporters

Principal Supporters

Peter McMullin AM and Ruth McMullin

Lead Supporters

Peter Jopling AM KC

Publication Partner

Gordon Darling Foundation

Foundational Supporters

Andy and Rainie Zhang

Creative Victoria
Creative Australia
Naomi Milgrom Foundation

Supporters

John Wardle

Judith and Leon Gorr

Irene Lawson and Brendan Kissane KC

  1. Banner Image: 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 Purchased through the Margaret Cooper Bequest fund, 2022 (2022.003.001)