Collective Movements moves to Mildura! Collective Movements: First Nations Collectives, Collaborations and Creative Practices from across Victoria is a wide-ranging project focusing on the work of historic and contemporary First Nations creative practitioners and community groups from across Victoria that recognises collectivity as integral to Indigenous knowledges and ways of being.
Touring with NETS Victoria, The Torch is represented in Collective Movements’ tour by Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri artist and Ash Thomas’ mural The Hunters, 2022. This mural is a travelling public artwork, accompanying Collective Movements on it’s journey throughout the varied Country of the South-East.
The mural travelled to Traralgon and Castlemaine last year and will be situated Mildura Arts Centre from March 9, 2024 until April 28, 2024.
Ash had previously collaborated on Collective Movements’ initial presentation at MUMA where he worked with Gunnai artist Ray Thomas – a former Arts Officer with The Torch, Yorta Yorta artist Leroy McLaughlin, Gamilaroi artist Sean Miller, Barkindji artist Trevor Mitchell on the mural Paying Homage to Culture, 2022, which is installed on Monash University’s Caulfield campus. Following this collaboration, Ash Thomas created The Hunters, 2022, for the exhibition.
Collective Movements features new artwork commissions alongside existing works, archives and participation from a range of contributors, including Ensemble Dutala, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Kaiela Arts, Koorroyarr, Latje Latje Dance Group Mildura, Pitcha Makin Fellas, the Possum Skin Cloak Story (founded by Vicki Couzens, Debra Couzens [1962–2021], Lee Darroch and Treahna Hamm), The Torch (led by Ray Thomas), this mob and a look back at We Iri, We Homeborn—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Festival (1996–99).
The exhibition is accompanied by an Indigenous edited and designed publication that features new writing by seven leading First Nations artists, curators and writers, including Arlie Alizzi, Bryan Andy, Paola Balla, Belinda Briggs, Yaraan Bundle, Tiriki Onus and Steven Rhall. The Collective Movements publication is designed by Larrakia, Wardaman and Karajarri artist-designer, Jenna Lee.
Collective Movements is co-curated by Taungurung artist and curator Kate ten Buuren; Lardil and Yangkaal artist and curator Maya Hodge; and N’Arweet Professor Carolyn Briggs AM PhD; with support from Bundjalung, Muruwari and Kamilaroi artist and senior academic, Professor Brian Martin, Director of the Wominjeka Djeembana Indigenous Research Lab.
Join the exhibition celebration of Collective Movements in Mildura on Friday March 22.
COLLECTIVE MOVEMENTS
First Nations Collectives, Collaborations and Creative Practices from across Victoria
5.30pm, Friday 22 March
Mildura Arts Centre
199-205 Cureton Avenue, Mildura Victoria 3500, Australia
Free event, refreshments will be served.