Breathtaking Stories Through First Nations Art & Music
Now Open | Ends February 4, 2024
"It was one of the most beautiful, amazing experiences ever."
"Thank you for a very wonderful experience. It was breathtaking."
"Best LUME exhibition so far."
"This was one of the most beautiful art experiences of my life."
"It was the best thing I’ve attended all year."
OPEN HOURS
Mon: 10am - 6.30pm (last entry 5pm)
Tue: 10am - 6.30pm (last entry 5pm)
Wed: 10am - 6.30pm (last entry 5pm)
Thu: 10am - 9.30pm (last entry 8pm)
Fri: 10am - 9.30pm (last entry 8pm)
Sat: 10am - 9.30pm (last entry 8pm)
Sun: 10am - 6.30pm (last entry 5pm)
LOCATION
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
5 Convention Centre Place,
South Wharf, Melbourne
WATCH
Official Connection Trailer
Visitor Testimonials
You can now experience Connection time and time again with an Unlimited Entry Membership for just $1 more than a Single Entry Ticket.
Connection was born from an idea to celebrate First Peoples' art and music and give back to their artist communities. Within the brushstrokes and melodies of their art and music, this landmark experience tells the story of our country’s rich and enduring cultural history.
Connection was developed for THE LUME Melbourne by Grande Experiences alongside Adam Knight, Professor Wayne Quilliam and a panel of leading Indigenous cultural advisors including Professor Margo Neale, Rhoda Roberts AO and others. It has been produced with the support of both State and Federal Governments and the National Museum of Australia.
Within Connection, over 110 visual and musical artists converge, coalescing into the most expansive tapestry of First Peoples' art ever assembled. Across nearly 650 paintings, including 85 significant pieces of original art, emerging voices (such as Sarrita King and Konstantina) dance alongside those of master artists (including Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Tommy Watson), who collectively bring songlines from the remotest regions of this land to life.
THE LUME Melbourne would like to acknowledge the following curators, cultural advisors and artists whose expertise, consultation and heartfelt support have been crucial in bringing Connection to life.
Internationally celebrated Aboriginal artist Adjunct Professor Wayne Quilliam is one of Australia’s pre-eminent modern-day storytellers, curators and cultural advisors. His award-winning career includes the coveted NAIDOC Indigenous Artist of the Year, Human Rights Award, Walkley Award, and nominated as a Master of Photography by National Geographic.
A photographer, artist, film-maker, author, and cultural adviser, Quilliam’s 30 years of experience working in rural, remote and urban communities across the globe has allowed him to conceptualise, design, create and curate over 300 exhibitions.
Adam Knight’s involvement in the procurement and sale of works of contemporary Aboriginal art has spanned three decades. During this time Knight has come to influence the careers of prominent Aboriginal artists including Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Rover Thomas, Ningura Napurrula, Naata Nungurrayi, Tommy Watson, and Gloria and Kathleen Petyarre
Throughout his career Knight has owned and operated eight commercial art galleries. His current ventures include Director of Australia’s largest Aboriginal art gallery located at the renowned Mitchelton Winery in Victoria and The Hubert Estate, Gallery of Art in the Yarra Valley.
Margo Ngawa Neale, of Aboriginal and Irish descent, is clan-affiliated with the Gumbaynggirr, Kulin and Wiradjuri Peoples. She heads up the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges, and is Senior Indigenous Curator at the National Museum of Australia.
Neale formerly worked at the state art galleries in Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane, and curated award-winning national and international exhibitions and publications including Emily Kngwarreye, Lin Onus and Songlines. She co-authored a best-seller in Thames-and-Hudson’s First Knowledges series, of which she is series editor.
A member of the Bundjalung Nation, Widjabul/Wieybal clan, Rhoda Roberts is an experienced arts executive. She has a range of international and national industry practice within commercial, community and non-profit organisations, festivals and events.
A weaver, actor/producer and director, she is a sought-after consultant, speaker and performer in theatre, film, television and radio. Rhoda is currently the First Nations Creative Director (NORPA), Elder in Residence SBS TV Arts Ambassador, Voyages Indigenous Tourism and NIDA Consultant.
Alison Page is a Walbanga and Wadi Wadi woman and an award-winning designer and Film Producer whose 24-year career links Aboriginal stories and traditional knowledge with contemporary design.
She appeared for eight years as a regular panelist on the ABC TV show The New Inventors, and in 2015 was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia’s Hall of Fame.Page is Associate Dean of Indigenous Leadership & Engagement in the Design Architecture and Building Faculty, University of Technology and the founder of the National Aboriginal Design Agency.
A Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri and Wurundjeri woman, Peeler was the NAIDOC Female Elder of the year 2022 and currently serves as the Executive Director and Principal of Woranda Aboriginal College among other roles.
With a storied career spanning the entertainment industry, public service, community development, social activism, tourism and Aboriginal education, Peeler has been a dynamic contributor to Aboriginal affairs for decades.
