65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art examines the rise to prominence of First Peoples’ art across Australia in the face of a brutal history of colonisation and proclaims the importance of Indigenous knowledge and agency. The exhibition features more than 400 artworks, including important public and private loans and new commissions.
The exhibition includes two key works by Christopher Pease, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms and Land Release 2, consider changing land use at important biodiverse locations on Nyoongar Country. Both paintings have been generously loaned to the exhibition by our collectors. More broadly, the show will reveal rarely-seen artworks and cultural objects from the University of Melbourne’s collections.
Curated by Distinguished Associate Provost Professor Marcia Langton AO, Senior Curator Judith Ryan AM and Associate Curator Shanysa McConville in consultation with Indigenous custodians.
The Potter Museum reopens with this landmark exhibition in May, 2025 and the exhibition will continue until November 23, 2025.