First Peoples Arts & Culture programs in Maroondah

Bush Tucker Dreaming, 1996, acrylic on canvas by Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi
Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi, Bush Tucker Dreaming, 1996, acrylic on canvas (detail), Maroondah City Council Art Collection

We, in the spirit of Reconciliation, acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation as traditional custodians of the land now known as the City of Maroondah, where Indigenous Australians have performed age-old ceremonies. We acknowledge and respect their unique ability to care for Country and their deep spiritual connection to it. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Learn about arts and cultural events, projects and partnerships in Maroondah, led and created in collaboration with First Peoples artists and groups.

Cultural Sensitivity Warning

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website may contain images, voices and videos of deceased persons. Users are warned that there may be words and descriptions that may be culturally sensitive and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. Terms and annotations that reflect the attitude of the author or the period in which the item was written, may be considered inappropriate today.

Exhibitions & events

Public art

Collection works

The Maroondah City Council Art Collection is a resource of culturally and aesthetically significant works of art in all mediums that tell the stories of our environment and people.  Since the opening of the Maroondah Art Gallery in 2001, Council has committed to the acquisition of works by First Peoples artists to form a strong visual representation of the Cultures, histories and knowledge of First Peoples within the Collection.  

Today the Collection includes and benefits from a range of First Peoples painting, photography and print making practices.  Works are exhibited regularly within gallery programs and are accessible to the public to view by appointment, by contacting the Curatorial Team on 0459 487 132 or emailing gallery@maroondah.vic.gov.au.       

A selection of works in the Collection by First Peoples artists are featured below:  

 Tali, 2009 by Kunmanara (Ray) Ken

Kunmanara (Ray) Ken
Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara peoples 

Tali, 2009 
Acrylic on linen 
Acquired, 2010.03  

 Jilamara, 1995 by Pedro Wonaeamirri

Pedro Wonaeamirri
Tiwi people 

Jilamara, 1995 
Natural ochres on paper 
Acquired, 2010.17 

 Michael and I are just slipping down to the pub for a minute by Lin Onus

Lin Onus (Onus/Eather-Mandjad Productions) 
Yorta Yorta people 

Michael and I are just slipping down to the pub for a minute.
From the series The ongoing adventures of X and Ray, 2000 
Archival inks on hahnemuhle rag paper 
Donated by Michael Ether through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2012.14 

 Clouds are the dust of His feet (4) by Bindi Cole Chocka Bindi Cole Chocka 

Wathaurong people 

Clouds are the dust of His feet (4), 2013 
Pigment print on cotton rag 
Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2015.04 

 Irrunytju, 2009 by Kunmanara (Nellie) Stewart

Kunmanara (Nellie) Stewart 
Pitjantjatjara people 

Irrunytju, 2009 
Acrylic on linen  
Acquired, 2010.04  

 Screenprint by Lin Onus (Yorta Yorta) and Shaike Snir

Lin Onus (Yorta Yorta) and Shaike Snir  
Meaning of Life, 1994 

Screenprint 
Donated by Shaike Snir through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2009.17 

 Fire Country, Kangaroo Island 2 by James Tylor

James Tylor 
Kaurna people 

Fire Country, Kangaroo Island 2, 2022 
Burnt digital photograph 
Acquired, 2022.01 

 Magpies, 2004 by Judith Pungarta INKAMALA

Judith Pungarta INKAMALA 
Arrernte people 

Magpies, 2004 
Hand built terracotta and underglaze 
Acquired, 2005.12

 Murnong Ceremony at Lal Lal Falls, 2017 by Deanne Gilson

Deanne Gilson 
Wadawurrung people 

Murnong Ceremony at Lal Lal Falls, 2017 
Photograph 
Acquired, 2019.07 

 Ambula Ipima (we are one), 2015 by Teho Ropeyarn

Teho Ropeyarn 
Community: Injinoo; Clan Group: Angkamuthi and Yadhaykana (Northern Cape York) 

Ambula Ipima (we are one), 2015 
Vinyl cut print on paper 
Acquired, 2020.14 

Past exhibitions & events

 

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