Melbourne’s iconic trams will be transformed into moving works of First Peoples art with the next round of Art Trams to hit the tracks.
The first of six Art Trams has been unveiled, with this year’s program celebrating First Peoples artists past and present and honouring the enduring strength of First Nations women.
The first Art Tram showcases Wurundjeri Elder William Barak’s Corroborree, an 1897 painting of women in possum skin cloaks. This artwork was returned to Wurundjeri Country in 2022 after it was acquired by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation with support from the Victorian Government and wider community.
This year’s Art Trams feature works from:
- Kelly Koumalatsos (Wergaia, Wemba Wemba)
- Maree Clarke (Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti, Boonwurrung)
- Jennifer Mullett (Gunaikurnai, Bidawal, Ngarigo), and
- Patsy Smith (Taungurung).
There’s also a collaborative work by Elders Laurel Robinson (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri), Amy Briggs (Yorta Yorta), Cynthia Hardie (Yorta Yorta), and Rochelle Patten (Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Baraparapa).
Each artist brings a unique perspective on their culture and connection to Country and the works reflect Indigenous and non-Indigenous shared histories, unity and coming together.
The Art Trams will ride Melbourne’s network for 12 months and passengers can learn more about the works and artists via QR codes on the trams.
The RISING First Peoples Art Trams are proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Department of Transport and Planning, and Yarra Trams.
Read more about each of the Art Trams at https://rising.melbourne/wormhole/art-trams-guide-2025