News

Linden Postcard Show 2025 – Felicity Chafer-Smith (Ngarrindjeri people), 'Journey #3'

Celebrating Torch Artists at the Linden Postcard Show 2025

We’re thrilled to announce that seven talented First Nations artists from The Torch program will be exhibiting in the Linden Postcard Show 2025, running from 6 September to 2 November at Linden New Art, St Kilda. Now in its 35th year, the Linden Postcard Show is a beloved fixture in Melbourne’s arts calendar. It’s a

Following the Lines: Yorta Yorta

More than just traditional ‘totemic’ representations, native animals play a vital role in many First Nations relationships to Country, spirituality, and to themselves. In Yorta Yorta Culture all plants and animals are significant, but those relative to healthy waterways hold a particularly high status. Bayadherra (Broad-shelled Turtle) is seen as ‘a provider, guide and protector’,

Stephen N. 2023, Generations of Wurundjeri, acrylic on canvas.

Following the Lines: Wurundjeri

Despite the onset of European colonisation and their irreversible changes to the landscape, the Wurundjeri people have walked the same paths on this Country in Naarm for millennia. To the Wurundjeri their Country is called biik in the woi wurrung language, and biik plays a central, pivotal role in their identity. Combining the words wurun

Thomas ‘Marksey’ Marks Arthritis Australia Commission

Thomas ‘Marksey’ Marks Commissioned by Arthritis Australia

The Torch is proud to celebrate the latest commission by Wotjobaluk/Gunaikurnai artist Thomas ‘Marksey’ Marks who was selected by Arthritis Australia to create a thought-provoking artwork highlighting the impact of Gout, a common yet often overlooked form of arthritis, affecting 1 in 15 Australians. Arthritis Australia is Australia’s leading national arthritis charity. They work with

Alfred Carter’s Metro Trains Commission

Alfred Carter’s ‘Old Ways And New Tracks’ commissioned by Metro Trains

Did you know that your organisation can commission original artwork from artists in The Torch program? These culturally rich, contemporary pieces not only enhance your space but also support post-incarcerated Indigenous artists on their journey of healing, reconnection, and self-determination through art. A recent standout example is the stunning piece Old Ways And New Tracks,

First Nations art styles

Three Artists, Three Styles

The recreation of traditional-style painting connected to an artist’s Heritage Community is a popular exercise amongst First Nations artists in The Torch’s program. An artist’s knowledge of their Heritage Community’s styles, and both the traditional and contemporary stories they can tell, provides them with an outlet to attain or maintain their connection to Culture and

First Nations art incarceration

From Country to Incarceration

The Torch’s program provides artists the opportunity to express what matters most to them – to reengage with old knowledge or embrace the newly learned, to flex a well-crafted skill or try their hand at a new one – and this has allowed for an array of visual and narrative storytelling. Artists from The Torch

Celebrating Culture and Creativity: The Torch’s Pop-Up Exhibitions During NAIDOC Week

During NAIDOC Week, The Torch was proud to showcase the incredible talent of artists in our program through a series of vibrant Pop-Up Exhibitions. These exhibitions were held across Melbourne, each thoughtfully curated to reflect the vision of our partners while providing unique opportunities for artists to share their culture, stories, and artwork with new

NAIDOC 2025 inspires new art commission

To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025, Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) engaged The Torch on a new commission by artist and AHV client Flick Chafer-Smith. Inspired by this years NAIDOC theme: “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, this newly commissioned work is a vibrant celebration of cultural knowledge and resilience. Flick shared the meaning behind this

Alfie Carter’s NBL1 South First Nations Basketball Jersey

Alfie Carter’s NBL1 South First Nations Basketball Jersey

Since the Latrobe Regional Hospital commission and Deadly in Gippsland, Gunaikurnai artist Alfred ‘Alfie’ Carter has been busy designing the 2025 First Nations Basketball Jersey for the Rookie Me Melbourne Tigers. The story behind the First Nations Basketball Jersey “A long time ago, different Aboriginal mobs would travel across the land to meet at important