Experience the sights and sounds of Australia’s First Nations artists like never before with Connection, the latest immersive experience at the Lume.
Opening on June 23, get ready to step inside the iridescent world of First Peoples art and culture, displayed on a scale that needs to be seen to be believed. Spanning 3,000 square metres of gallery space, Connection will feature projections four storeys high and an awe-inspiring display of original art.
From intricate dot paintings to watercolours and wood carvings, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have passed down their heritage, traditions and stories through the generations with creativity. At Connection, you can expand your knowledge and appreciation of this rich history through themes of Land, Water, Sky and Country.
Visitors are invited to walk into the works of Australia’s most celebrated First Nations artists, including Tommy Watson, Gabriella and Michelle Possum Nungurrayi, Clifford and more. Set to a score of First Nations music, the artwork in Connection will burst to life through a soundtrack that unites legends like Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach and Emily Wurramara, renowned composers like William Barton and emerging musicians like Alice Skye and Baker Boy.
The 50-minute digital experience will also feature a series of original works, including a 53-piece series by Anmatyerre woman Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Born in the 1900s, Kngwarreye is one of Australia's most significant contemporary artists, producing over 3,000 paintings within a span of just eight years.
Emily’s Wall is a giant mural that depicts a one-year period in life and it is an awe-inspiring representation of Kngwarreye’s perception of the changing seasons. Presented at the Lume for the first time in Australia, Emily’s Wall is showcased in a mirrored room to emulate an illusion of infinite depth, symbolising the enduring legacy that Kngwarreye left behind her.
“The technology Connection uses breaks down a lot of barriers to entry,” said Kate Constantine, a featured Gadigal artist of the Eora Nation. “A lot of people like Aboriginal art because it is colourful or pretty, but a lot of people are quite challenged by Aboriginal art too, by not knowing or understanding how to interpret it or not feeling like they have permission to be involved. Connection is just inclusive.”
Permanently located at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Lume is open daily to visitors and will be home to Connection from June 23. Tickets are on sale now.