The NGV are hosting a totally free celebration of First Nations art, music and innovation this Saturday July 9 from 10am until 3pm.
The NGV will present a free program of live music, dance performance, workshops, activities for kids, and guided tours of the Indigenous Art collection this Saturday under the banner of NAIDOC Week NGV Celebration. It will all take place at The Ian Potter Centre, at Fed Square.
The Ian Potter Centre’s ground floor presentation of Indigenous art from the NGV Collection will be enlivened with performances and tours in English and AUSLAN, sharing further insight into masterpieces and new acquisitions by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from the NGV Collection.
What you need to know
- Where: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
- When: Saturday 9 July, 10 am – 3 pm
- Price: Free
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Throughout the day, a diverse collective of First Nations’ talent will fill the ground floor of NGV Australia with vibrant live performances.
A Welcome to Country by representatives from the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation will officially begin the celebration at 10.30 am.
Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, and Zenadth singer Kee’ahn will perform their combination of soul, R&B, and pop music at 12pm within the Indigenous Art from the NGV Collection exhibition, while sets of RnB, and 80s and 90s hip-hop mixes will be performed by Gunai/Kurnai, Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri DJ Soju Gang from 12pm in the foyer.
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Meanwhile, a live dance performance by First Nations female collective Wala Connections will bring to life the galleries inside Indigenous Art from the NGV Collection at 2.30 pm. The group will also facilitate a 30-minute meditation session from the WHO ARE YOU: Australian Portraiture exhibition space at 11 am.
A First Nations Community Tour will explore Indigenous art collections at the Koorie Heritage Trust and NGV Australia. Developed exclusively for First Nations community members, the program will begin with a tour of theIndigenous Art from the NGV Collection exhibition by NGV Senior Curator of Indigenous Art, Myles Russell-Cook followed by morning tea at NGV and a guided experience of current exhibitions at Koorie Heritage Trust.
Lama Lama artist, Rubii Red will lead a hands-on workshop, ‘Character Design with Rubii Red’, inviting young people to draw their own anime and comic book-inspired characters.
Drop-by activities will allow families to learn about possum skin cloaks through the work of Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti, Boonwurrung artist Maree Clarke. Currently on display in WHO ARE YOU: Australian Portraiture, Clarke’s impressive 63-pelt possum skin cloak will invite people to learn about the history and cultural significance of possum skin cloaks.
“NAIDOC Week is an important time for the NGV to acknowledge and celebrate the rich history and significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to art and design,” NGV director Tony Ellwood said. “These celebrations offer visitors the opportunity to engage with the NGV Collection in new and nuanced ways through the creativity of local artists, musicians, and performers.”
NAIDOC Week NGV Celebration will take place on Saturday 9 July from 10 am – 3 pm at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. For further information, please visit the NGV website.
