Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair Showcase Exhibition 2025

The Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair (VFPADF) is set to presented a showcase exhibition at Melbourne Art Fair from 20 to 23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Led by Co-Curators Janina Harding (Meriam Mir) and Dr Jessica Clark (palawa/pallawah), the showcase was the first exhibition of this scale dedicated to celebrating the rich cultural and creative diversity of Victorian First Peoples contemporary art and design.

An initiative of the Victorian Government’s Creative State 2025 strategy, the Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair is driven by the First Peoples Directions Circle – a group of esteemed First Peoples creative leaders who guide the work of Creative Victoria.

Spanning creative styles and cultural practice the exhibition featured new and recent work by 20 independent Victorian First Peoples artists and designers. Additionally, the inaugural VFPADF Commission was awarded to Mitch Mahoney (Boon Wurrung, Barkindji) and premiered as part of the Melbourne Art Fair COMMISSION program.

A further 17 artists and designers showed their work through representation from First Peoples arts centres: Kaiela Arts, Baluk Arts, Perridak Arts and The Torch. All works in the showcase exhibition were available for sale.

Collectively representing more than 20 Victorian First Peoples language groups from across all regions of the state, the artists attest to the strength, resilience and continuity of culture in Victoria.

Running alongside the Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair Showcase Exhibition, a public program offered opportunities to connect with and hear directly from Victorian First Peoples artists through daily tours, artist talks, weaving workshops and panel discussions. See details below.

An Opening Ceremony at 11am on 20 February officially marked the start of the VFPADF Showcase Exhibition. The ceremony was creatively produced by Jason Tamiru (Yorta Yorta) and Nathan Lovett-Murray (Wamba Wamba, Dhudhuroa, Baraparapa, Dja Dja Wurrung, Yupagalk, Wergaia, Yorta Yorta, and Wiradjeri) and featured an historical narrative, smoking ceremony and cultural dance performances.

Co-curators Janina Harding and Dr Jessica Clark said, “We have worked closely with twenty independent First Peoples artists and four arts centres whose artwork and culture are unique to the South East, and we’re so excited to share and profile their incredible talent with Melbourne Art Fair collectors, buyers and the sector more broadly.”

Independent artists

As part of the 2025 Showcase Exhibition at Melbourne Art Fair, the work of 20 independent First Peoples artists will be exhibited. Featured artists will include:

Moorina Bonini (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri, Wiradjuri) 
Lorraine Brigdale (Yorta Yorta) 
Glennys Briggs (Yorta Yorta, Taungurung, Wiradjuri) 
Janet Bromley (Yorta Yorta) 
Bradley Brown (Gunditjmara, Gunai Kurnai, Bidawal) 
Trina Dalton-Oogjes (Wadawurrung/Wathaurung, Gunditjmara) 
Talgium Edwards (Taungurong, Yorta Yorta, Muthi Muthi, Boonwerung and Palawa) 
Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung) 
Tammy Gilson (Wadawurrung) 
ENOKi (Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta) 
Gail Harradine (Wotjobaluk, Djubagalk, Jadawadjali) 
Kelly Koumalatsos (Wergaia, Wamba Wamba) 
Glenda Nicholls (Waddi Waddi, Ngarrindjeri, Yorta Yorta) 
Ray Thomas (Gunnai) 
Aunty Zeta Thomson (Wurundjeri, Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Wuradjeri) 
Two Rivers Gallery and Artspace (Gunditjmara Country) Aunty Kim Wandin (Wurundjeri) Lewis Wandin-Bursill (Wurundjeri) Peter Waples-Crowe (Ngarigo) Lisa Waup (Gunditjmara, Torres Strait)

Aunty Kim Wandin (Wurundjeri) 
Lewis Wandin-Bursill (Wurundjeri) 
Peter Waples-Crowe (Ngarigo) 
Lisa Waup (Gunditjmara, Torres Strait)

VFPADF 2025 Artist Commission

The inaugural  VFPADF Commission has been awarded to Mitch Mahoney (Boon Wurrung, Barkindji) and will premiere at Melbourne Art Fair.

Mitch Mahoney

Born 1997 on Ladji Ladji Country in Mildura VIC  
Lives and works on Wonnarua Country in Hunter Valley NSW

Born in North-West Victoria along the banks of the Murray River, Mitch Mahoney is a Boonwurrung/Barkindji artist who grew up in Mildura and the Hunter Valley.  He currently splits his time between Melbourne and regional NSW. As a multidisciplinary artist, Mitch focuses on the revitalisation of South-Eastern Aboriginal practices, creating cultural items such as possum skin cloaks, traditional stringy bark and red gum canoes, and kangaroo tooth necklaces.  He also specialises in line drawings and South-Eastern Aboriginal design.  His art reflects his Country and the natural connection he feels to all that it supports, creates and provides, and the ever-changing influence it has on him.

Gurnbak (Goodoo, Mulloway, Long tail), 2024-25

This work speaks to three distinct fish and their importance on Country, Goodoo the Murray Cod (freshwater), Mulloway (estuary), and Longtail Tuna (saltwater). These fish, as apex predators in their respective ecosystems, are vital indicators of environmental health and carry cultural and ecological significance. The methods of acquisition emphasize diverse human interactions with fishing: the Murray Cod, sourced from a fish farm, talks about the importance of conserving wild populations; the Longtail Tuna, caught personally, reflects time spent on Country, learning about the waterways and seasons; and the Mulloway, purchased from commercial fisheries, highlights the complexities of large-scale operations. Each method brings unique insights and challenges, sparking conversations about ethical fishing, sustainable resource management, and the ways we connect with Country. The work ultimately underscores the interconnectedness of Country, ecological balance, and human responsibility.

Participating art centres and represented artists

Seventeen artists and designers will be represented by Victorian First Peoples art centres. Baluk Arts, from Mt Eliza will exhibit Adam Magennis (Bunurong) and Iluka Sax-Williams (Taungurung); Kaiela Arts, from Shepparton will exhibit Jack Anselmi (Yorta Yorta), Ally Knight (Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kamilaroi),  Norm Stewart (Kwat Kwat, Wurundjeri, Yalaba Yalaba, Moira) along with a Ceramics presentation by Cynthia Hardie, Laurel Robinson, Amy Briggs, Rochelle Patten, Lyn Thorpe, and Melinda Solomon; Perridak Arts, from Ballarat will exhibit Donna Blackall (Yorta Yorta, Taungurung) and Adrian Rigney (Wotjobaluk, Ngarrindjeri); and The Torch, from Naarm will exhibit Alfred Carter (Gunaikurnai), Stacey Edwards (Taungurung, Boon Wurrung), Ash Thomas (Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri), and Robby Wirramanda (Wergaia, Wotjobaluk).

BALUK ARTS

Baluk Arts is an Aboriginal owned and led community arts centre and gallery, the only of its kind in the southeast of the state. Based in Mount Eliza, the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula, Baluk Arts supports artistic, career and audience development for Aboriginal artist members from the southeast and wider Australia. Artworks reflect themes of identity in a contemporary cultural context. Baluk Arts encourages artistic excellence, community development, leadership, participation and interaction through innovative arts practices. Baluk Arts programs foster a deeper understanding of Aboriginal arts.

At the showcase, they will present works by Adam Magennis (Bunurong) and Iluka Sax-Williams (Taungurung).

Baluk Arts also receives funding through Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises Program (2022-2025).

KAIELA ARTS

Established in 2006, Kaiela Arts is an Aboriginal art centre located in Shepparton on the traditional lands of the Yorta Yorta Nation. The centre’s work drives important outcomes for both the artists and the broader Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community. Kaiela Arts provides an accessible studio and social space for local Aboriginal artists to connect, create and share art with everyone. Kaiela Arts is a welcoming environment in which to connect and learn about local Aboriginal culture and acquire Aboriginal artwork.

At the showcase, the centre will present works by Jack Anselmi (Yorta Yorta), Ally Knight (Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kamilaroi), Norm Yakaduna Stewart (Kwat Kwat, Wurundjeri, Yalaba Yalaba, Moira) along with a ceramics presentation by Cynthia Hardie, Laurel Robinson, Amy Briggs, Rochelle Patten, Lyn Thorpe, and Melinda Solomon.

Kaiela Arts also receives funding through Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises Program (2022-2025).

PERRIDAK ARTS

Perridak Arts was established in 2023 by the Ballarat & District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC), after a need was identified for local First Nations artists to develop a venue to sell and display their art. BADAC provides programs and supports to First Nation’s people in the local area and employ over 200 staff and continues to be an important provider of employment and support to the local First Nation’s community.  BADAC is proud that Perridak Arts is another step forward on the path to self-determination for all First Nation’s people.

As part of the VFPADF showcase, the centre will feature works by Donna Blackall (Yorta Yorta, Taungurung) and Adrian Rigney (Wotjobaluk, Ngarrindjeri).

THE TORCH

Since June 2011 The Torch has been providing art, cultural and arts industry support to Indigenous offenders and ex-offenders in Victoria through its Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community program. The Torch supports Indigenous men and women both in prisons and post-release in Victoria to explore their Indigenous culture and identity through practising art. The Torch’s major annual exhibitions are Confined and Future Dreaming. Exhibitions provide opportunities for participants in The Torch program to redefine themselves as artists and to generate income through selling artwork.

As part of the showcase, The Torch will present works by Alfred Carter (Gunaikurnai), Stacey Edwards (Taungurung, Boon Wurrung), Ash Thomas (Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri) and Robby Wirramanda (Wergaia, Wotjobaluk).

The Torch also receives funding through Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises Program (2022-2025).

VFPADF program of talks, tours and more

Running alongside the Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair Showcase Exhibition, a public program offers opportunities to connect with and hear directly from Victorian First Peoples artists through daily tours, artist talks and panel discussions, and weaving workshops.

TALKS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS

The Melbourne Art Fair’s Conversations program will feature three VFPADF led panel discussions:

  • CONVERSATIONS: Treaty, Art and Culture - February 21 2025, 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

In Treaty, Art and Culture, Kim Kruger (Murroona/Djiru), representative of the First Peoples Directions Circle who guide the work of Creative Victoria, will lead a discussion with VFPADF showcase feature artist Kelly Koumalatsos (Wergaia, Wemba Wemba), First Peoples Treaty Assembly of Victoria representatives Brian Stevens (Gunnai), Alice Pepper (Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti, Gunditjmara, Arrernte) and First Peoples curator and First Peoples Treaty Assembly of Victoria representative Belinda Briggs (Yorta Yorta , Wamba Wamba) will highlight the importance of First Peoples art and culture in Treaty conversations.

  • CONVERSATIONS: No Dots Down Here - February 22 2025, 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Arts writer, artist and Aboriginal affairs advocate Jack Wilkie-Jans (Waanyi, Teppathiggi, Tjungundji) is joined by Creative Victoria’s First Peoples Directions Circle Chair Dr. Vicki Couzens (Gunditjmara), artist and curator Maree Clarke (Yorta Yorta, Boonwurrung, Mutti Mutti, Wemba Wemba, Trawoolway), and VFPADF Senior Project Manager Janina Harding (Meriam Mir) for No Dots Down Here. This conversation will explore the development and growth of First Peoples creative and cultural practice in Victoria, and the struggle for recognition in national and international contexts. Register for this event (Melbourne Art Fair Ticket required).

  • CONVERSATIONS: Victoria First Peoples Art and Design Fair 2025 + 2027 - February 23 2025, 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Kimberley Moulton (Yorta Yorta) curator and writer, will be joined by VFPADF exhibiting artists Ray Thomas (Gunnai), Moorina Bonini (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri), Trina Dalton-Oogjes (Wadawurrung/Wathaurung, Gunditjmara) and Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung) to highlight the rich cultural and creative diversity of Victorian First Peoples contemporary art and design. This discussion will also centre the significance of the VFPADF for Victorian First Peoples artists and communities and their aspirations to grow the sector. Register for this event (Melbourne Art Fair Ticket required).

WORKSHOPS – WEAVING CIRCLES 

VFPADF exhibiting Victorian First Peoples artists will lead daily hands-on weaving sessions. These workshops will explore a range of Victorian First Peoples weaving approach and techniques, offering visitors the opportunity to deepen understandings of the diversity of Victorian First Peoples weaving practices, and to see first-hand the artists at work.

Multiple sessions: