After whisking us away to Europe with their Van Gogh and Monet exhibitions, Melbourne’s The Lume will soon stay closer to home, and celebrate First Peoples art and music with their immersive exhibition, Connection. This experience is over two years in the making, and will showcase the creativity of First Peoples artists on a scale that must be seen to be believed. Feel amazed by swirling projections around the 3,000 square metre gallery space, and check out a display of original art. Over 110 visual and musical artists will be featured, making Connection the largest representation of First Peoples art and culture ever assembled. Connection will open on Friday June 23.
Connection at The Lume
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have passed down their heritage, traditions and stories for generations with art, music and performance. Presented through the lenses of Land, Water and Sky Country, Connection will represent the most comprehensive telling of our country’s story through art and music. The experience will come to life with a soaring soundtrack, featuring legends like Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach, Emily Wurramara, and Gurrumul, composers like William Barton and emerging musicians like Alice Skye and Baker Boy.
This exhibition will highlight the beauty, complexity and diversity of First Peoples expression by showcasing past and present artists from around the nation, like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Tommy Watson, Clifford, Gabriella and Michelle Possum Nungurrayi, Anna Pitjara, and Lin Onus.
It will also be a platform for emerging artists, like Sarrita King, Kate Constantine and Wayne Qulliam, to have their work shown alongside the creatives that inspired their careers.
“The technology Connection uses breaks down a lot of barriers to entry,” said Constantine, a Gadigal artist of the Eora Nation. “A lot of people like Aboriginal art because it is colourful or pretty, but a lot of people are quite challenged by Aboriginal art too, by not knowing or understanding how to interpret it or not feeling like they have permission to be involved. Connection is just so inclusive.”
Connection will be the 250th experience produced by Grande Experiences, the owners and operators of The Lume. It was produced with the curatorial support of the National Museum of Australia.
Monet & Friends, the current exhibition at The Lume, will end on June 4. The space will reopen for Connection on June 23. Tickets are on sale now for $49 per adult.