National Gallery of Australia’s 4^th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony will open at Shepparton Art Museum on 17 December on its second stop in its nation-wide tour.

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is honoured to partner with the National Gallery of Australia to present the 4^th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony as it tours nationally. SAM features as the second host museum scheduled, and the sole Victorian venue on its tour.

Curated by Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman Hetti Perkins, in collaboration with National Gallery curators, the Ceremony touring exhibition showcases 15 new bodies of work by 35 First Nations artists from across the country. Ceremony, the fourth iteration of the National Indigenous Art Triennial since its inception in 2007, centres on the practice and observance of ceremony in First Nations cultures and highlights the central role it plays in the creative practices of many First Nations artists.

Perkins says of the exhibition:

“Ceremony is not a new idea in the context of our unique heritage, but neither is it something that belongs only in the past. In their works, the artists in this exhibition assert the prevalence of ceremony as a forum for artmaking today in First Nations communities.

“In each ceremonial action, artists make an individual mark in our history. Ceremony is the nexus of Country, culture and community, and the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial is another stitch in a timeless heritage.”

Mapping the breadth of First Nations art practices from the traditional to the contemporary, the expansive exhibition brings together a diverse range of artists working in a variety of art forms including sculpture, painting, ceramics, moving image, photography and more.

SAM’s presentation of the touring exhibition includes works by artists Joel Bray, Kunmanara Carroll, Penny Evans, Nicole Foreshew with Boorljoonngali, Margaret Rarruu Garrawurra and Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra, Mantua Nangala, S.J Norman, Dylan River, Darrell Sibosado, Andrew Snelgar, James Tylor, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and Tangentyere Artists, and Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu.

A number of artworks, some site-specific, by Robert Fielding, Robert Andrew, Hayley Millar Baker, Dr Matilda House and Paul Girrawah House are not included in the touring exhibition, though formed an important part of the exhibition when it was displayed in the National Gallery of Australia. Visitors can learn more about these works through exhibition documentation that will be on display.

Melinda Martin, SAM CEO, says of the exhibition:

“We are thrilled to partner with the National Gallery to present such a significant exhibition at our museum, and on the country of the Yorta Yorta People. The show will span two floors of the museum in our main gallery spaces, creating a truly immersive experience.

“Ceremony celebrates Indigenous excellence and amplifies First Nations voices and stories. We hope visitors from across the state will join us to experience the powerful works created by some of Australia’s leading First Nations artists. Ceremony will be accompanied by a range of programming, with opportunities to meet artists throughout the course of the exhibition.”

The Triennial is the National Gallery’s flagship exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony Touring Exhibition is made possible through the continued generosity of the National Gallery’s Indigenous Arts Partner Wesfarmers Arts and key philanthropic supporters.

On 14 December, the community is invited to attend SAM Talks: Ceremony at the museum for a conversation about the upcoming exhibition, hosted by National Gallery Head of First Nations Engagement Cara Kirkwood, Mandandanji/Mithaka peoples and Curator Peter Johnson. The event will be free and held at 5.30pm at SAM. Bookings can be made via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CEFNE.

Further programming and resources for both the public and for educational/learning institutions will be announced soon.

4^th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony opens at SAM on Saturday 17 December 2022 and will be showing until 26 February 2023 with free entry.

4^th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony 2022-2024 touring program:

The University of Queensland Art Museum (UQ), QLD
27 August 2022 – 26 November 2022

Shepparton Art Museum, VIC
17 December 2022 – 26 February 2023

Araluen Arts Centre, NT
25 March – 12 June 2023

Samstag Museum of Art, UniSA, SA
Friday 29 September – Friday 8 Dec 2023

Western Plains Cultural Centre, NSW
20 Jan – 12 May 2024

Image: Joel Bray, Wiradjuri people, Giraaru Galing Gaanhagirri (still), 2022, commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra for the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony, created in consultation with Uncle James Ingram and Wagga Wagga Elders, and with support from City of Melbourne, Phillip Keir and Sarah Benjamin (the Keir Foundation), City of Port Phillip, Create NSW, Blacktown Arts, Arts Centre Melbourne, and Yirramboi Festival 2020, image courtesy and © the artist