Past exhibitions
2024
Future Dreaming 2024
Ended — The Torch Gallery
Future Dreaming is an exhibition of 250 artworks created by First Nations artists incarcerated in Victorian prisons in 2024. Each artist has created an artwork that explores their concept of “Future Dreaming.” Re-entering society after incarceration is a challenging transition, with 50.2 per cent of incarcerated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders returning to prison within
Confined 15
Ended — Glen Eira City Council Gallery
With a diverse array of over 400 artworks by more than 380 artists, The Torch is proud to present the fifteenth annual Confined exhibition. Confined provides a dedicated space for First Nations people who have experienced incarceration in Victoria to share their stories, culture and lived experiences through the artworks they produce. This year’s Confined
WALPA / STAND BY ME
Ended — Sofitel Melbourne On Collins
Rachael Harman, General Manager, Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, welcomes you to Sofitel’s Spring Salon exhibitions curated by The Torch ROBBY WIRRAMANDA WALPA The Torch is proud to partner with Sofitel Melbourne On Collins and Global Arts Projects to present Robby Wirramanda’s first solo exhibition, Walpa. Join me, Robby Wirramanda, a proud Wergaia descendant, on a
2023
Future Dreaming – visions of the future
Ended — The Torch Gallery
Future Dreaming – visions of the future is an exhibition of artworks created by First Nations artists incarcerated in Victorian prisons across 2023. The Torch has invited each artist to create a new artwork inspired by their interpretations of “Future Dreaming”. Many artists dream of returning to home and to their kids, of making amends
Confined 14
Ended — Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Don’t miss your chance to see Confined 14 and experience the power and beauty of First Nations art while supporting the artists who create it. 100% of the price of each artwork goes directly to the artist. Confined 14 presents artworks by First Nations artists who are either currently in prison in Victoria, or have
2022
Future Dreaming … visions of the future
Ended — The Torch Online Experience
Future Dreaming … visions of the future is an exhibition of artworks created by Indigenous artists within Victorian prisons during 2022. Our In Prison artists continue to be impacted by long lockdown periods as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Dreaming gives these artists a chance to envision their future, and bring that future to life
The Torch at Affordable Art Fair Melbourne
Ended — The Torch Online Experience
The Torch is proud to have been selected as the official Charity Partner of Affordable Art Fair Melbourne, 2022. Held in September, Affordable Art Fair Melbourne will showcase original contemporary artworks from over 40 carefully curated galleries. The Fair begins with an opening night event for VIPs and patrons, taking place on Thursday 1 September.
Confined 13
Ended — Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Confined 13 features artworks by Indigenous artists currently in or recently released from prisons in Victoria, Australia. Presenting over 400 artworks from 350 artists, Confined 13 creates a strong visual metaphor for the over-representation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system. In 2022, Confined 13 will coincide with National Reconciliation Week with a program
The Torch at the WNBL Indigenous Round
Ended — Melbourne Sports Centre
The Torch is proud to partner with the Deakin Melbourne Boomers for the Women’s National Basketball League Indigenous Round on Saturday March 19th. The WNBL’s inaugural Indigenous Round is an important date in the WNBL calendar, recognising and acknowledging Indigenous culture and people across Australia. Players will be wearing playing singlets designed by an Indigenous
2021
Future Dreaming…visions of the future
Ended
Future Dreaming … visions of the future is an exhibition of artworks created by Indigenous artists within Victorian prisons during 2021. The Torch invited our In Prison program participants to dream of a brighter future and to bring that future to life on a standard 30cm x 30cm canvas. Over 200 participants across 14 Victorian
Banj Banj/nawnta
Ended — Counihan Gallery in Brunswick
Meaning sister in their First Nations languages, Banj Banj (Taungurung) / nawnta (palawa kani) represents the unique friendship between Thelma and Stacey, who are participants in The Torch’s Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community program. Growing up in the same regional town, Stacey and Thelma formed a strong bond during their incarceration together at Dame
Confined 12
Ended — Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Confined 12 features artworks by Indigenous artists currently in or recently released from prisons in Victoria, Australia. Presenting over 350 artworks from 320 artists, Confined 12 creates a strong visual metaphor for the over-representation of Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice system. It is the biggest exhibition ever presented by The Torch. The Confined exhibition is the
2020
Future Dreaming …visions of the future
Ended
Future Dreaming … visions of the future is an exhibition of artworks created by Indigenous artists within Victorian prisons during 2020. The Torch invited our In Prison program participants to dream of a brighter future and to bring that future to life on a standard 30cm x 30cm canvas. Over 100 participants across 14 Victorian
Confined 11
Ended
A virtual exhibition of artworks by Indigenous artists currently in or recently released from prisons in Victoria. Presenting over 300 artworks, from 286 artists, Confined 11 creates a strong visual metaphor for the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system. The Confined 11 virtual gallery opens Thursday 14th May 2020, 9am at thetorch.org.au/C11
Yaluk Biik Baan
Ended — Melbourne Water foyer
Yaluk Biik Baan means ‘River Land Water’ in the Woi wurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. To celebrate the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages, Melbourne Water is hosting an art exhibition entitled Yalik Biik Baan, meaning ‘River Land Water’. The exhibition explores the ongoing connection of Aboriginal people to rivers, land and water.
2019
Dhumbadha Munga: Talking Knowledge
Ended — Metro Gallery
Dhumbadha Munga means Talking Knowledge in Boonwurrung language. Dhumbadha Munga: Talking Knowledge explores the transformative power of art and cultural exchange between previously incarcerated Indigenous artists and the contemporary Indigenous artists who mentor and support them. Featuring artwork by; Chris Austin, Blackgin, Graham Gilbert, Renee Gray, Veronica Mungaloon Hudson, Jeffrey Jackson, Marbukk, Paul McCann, Sean Miller,
Grounded in Truth
Ended — Geelong Library and Heritage Centre
Indigenous artists from Barwon, Marnoneet and Kareenga prisons have responded to the theme of 2019 Reconciliation Week, “grounded in truth”. In announcing the theme, Reconciliation Australia stated that, “Reconciliation is ultimately about relationships and like all effective relationships the one between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians must be grounded in truth.
Yawa: Journey
Ended — Melbourne City Library Gallery
Yawa means Journey in Boon wurrung language. Yawa presents the journey of Indigenous men and women in the Victoria’s criminal justice system exploring, expressing and sharing culture through art. Yawa is on display at the City Library in Melbourne. Yawa is presented as part of Melbourne’s YIRRAMBOI festival the premier First Peoples festival celebrating the
Ralph Rogers: Byamee, Brewarrina
Ended — Deakin University Downtown Gallery
‘Byamee is responsible for all things related to my Country; he is the creator of our fish traps and gave life to the rivers and to all the seeds of life.’ Ralph Rogers, Baranbinja Baranbinja artist Ralph Rogers, explores his cultural and ancestral connections to Brewarrina and the history of acqua culture associated with the
Emergence
Ended — Metro Gallery
An exhibition of emerging Indigenous artists from The Torch’s Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community Program. The Torch provides art, cultural and arts industry support to Indigenous offenders and ex-offenders in Victoria. Artworks by artists from the program have been collected by major public galleries including the NGV. Indigenous Australians are highly over represented in
Confined 10
Ended — Carlisle Street Arts Space
The Torch is celebrating 10 years of exhibiting artworks by Indigenous artists currently in or recently released from prisons in Victoria! Confined is the major annual event of The Torch’s Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community program and a key annual event of the Yalukut Weelam Ngargee, Melbourne’s longest running Indigenous arts and cultural festival.
2018
No Turning Back: Artworks from The Torch
Ended — Deakin University Downtown Gallery
‘No Turning Back’ presents artworks by Indigenous offenders and ex-offenders in Victoria who are currently participating in The Torch’s Indigenous Arts in Prison and Community program.
St Vincents Art Gallery’s Reconciliation Week exhibition
Ended — St Vincents Art Gallery
St Vincents Art Gallery are hosting an exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork for Reconciliation week. This exhibition includes 7 paintings from artists in The Torch program. All artworks are for sale.
Dhumbadha Munga – Talking Knowledge
Ended — Alliance Française de Melbourne's Eildon Gallery
Alliance Francaise de Melbourne in association with The Torch and Yalukut Weelam Ngargee present Dhumbadha Munga- Talking Knowledge.
Confined 9
Ended — The Gallery, St Kilda Town Hall
CONFINED 9, The Torch’s annual exhibition featuring new works by Indigenous artists currently in, or recently released from, prisons in Victoria.
2017
Pathways
Ended — NSW Parliament Fountain Court Gallery
The 2017 MAX Pathways Exhibition is a partnership with Borallon Training and Correctional Centre and Five Bridges Healing Through the Arts program QLD, The Torch Indigenous Arts in Prison and Community program VIC, and Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison WA. The exhibition highlights positive outcomes associated with arts programs in the justice system, including a decrease
No turning back: Artworks from The Torch
Ended — Deakin University Downtown Gallery
The Torch supports current and former Indigenous offenders in Victoria through its indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community program. The program provides art, cultural strengthening and arts vocational support to Indigenous inmates and parolees who are greatly over-represented in the criminal justice system. Opportunities to create new pathways through art and culture and reduce recidivism
Dhumbudha Munga – Talking Knowledge
Ended — Alliance Française de Melbourne's Eildon Gallery
The Torch supports Indigenous offenders and ex-offenders through its Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community program. Central to the program is cultural learning and cultural strengthening. Dhumbudha Munga – Talking Knowledge looks at the two-way relationship between the arts workers and the artists they support. Gallery Hours Monday to Saturday 9.30 am–6.00 pm
Confined 8
Ended — The Gallery, St Kilda Town Hall
The Torch’s 8th annual Confined exhibition featuring Indigenous artists currently in or recently released from prison. Confined 8 showcased 165 artworks selected from 145 artists participating in The Torch’s program.