Group Exhibition: Ngarn Wa'ngal - Art of the gum tree

Ngarn Wa'ngal

Drawing upon the University of Melbourne's collections as its foundation, this exhibition brings together historical and contemporary connections to these iconic trees and is designed to be a catalyst for wider discussions including Indigenous sovereignty, Australian identity, climate challenges, economics and ecology, as well as the impact of the gum tree abroad.

In Ngarn Wa'ngal: Art of the gumtree, we invite you to explore this iconic tree as a source of creative inspiration branching across centuries of artistic practice.

breathing for us

Translating as 'breathing for us' in Woi Wurrung, Ngarn Wa'ngal celebrates the deep cultural and ecological significance of the eucalypt. Over three floors, this expansive exhibition brings together colonial, twentieth century and contemporary works, sparking broader conversations about identity, sovereignty, climate and continuity.

Curated by Alisa Bunbury, Senior Curator of the Grimwade Collection at the University of Melbourne, and Guest Curator Sophie Gerhard.

Participating Artists

Khadim Ali, Ethel Atkinson, Thelma Austin, Rex Battarbee, Dorrit Black, John Blogg, Arthur Boyd, Merric Boyd, John Brack, Jane E. Brown, Nikki Browne, Hector Tjupuru Burton, Louis Buvelot, Robert Campbell Junior, Harold Cazneaux, Maree Clarke, Selma Nunay Coulthard, Dean Cross, Nici Cumpston, Jess Dare, Shay Docking, Peter Dombrovskis, Julie Dowling, Russell Drysdale, AW Eustace, megan evans, Adrian Feint, Rosa Fiveash, Sue Ford, William Ford, Helen Fuller, Deanne Gilson, Joshua Wickett Gliddon, John Gollings, Julie Gough, John Glover, Russell Grimwade, Henry Gritten, Eugene von Guerard, Treahna Hamm, Matthew Harris, Hans Heysen, Naomi Hobson, Wendy Hubert, Dianne Jones, Narelle Jubelin, Tjilpi Kunmanara Robin Kankapankatja, John Kauffmann, Kiah Kraftsrafts, Rosemary Laing, Janet Laurence, Lefebure and Sons, Jenna Lee, John Lewin, Sydney Long, Mildred Lovett, Brian Martin, Robyn Mayo, Frederick McCubbin, Rob McHaffie, Louisa Anne Meredith, Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni, Hal Missingham, Jazz Money, Eirene Mort, Albert Namatjira, Vincent Namatjira, Frederick Polydore Nodder, Ian North, Lin Onus, Jill Orr, Sydney Parkinson, Marylin Brown Petyarr, Tali Tali Pompey, Robert Prenzel, Margaret Preston, Shirley Purdie, Anita Mbitjana Ratara, Hilda Rix Nicholas, Carol Panangka Rontji, David Rose, Joan Ross, Mervyn Rubuntja, Alfred Sells, Alexander Schramm, Rebecca Selleck, Grace Cossington Smith, Yasmin Smith, Margaret Stones, Arthur Streeton, William Strutt, Stefan Szonyi, Christian Thompson, Mary Tonkin, Jessie Traill, Peter Tully, James Tylor, Hossein Valamanesh, May Vale, Gaypalani Wanambi, Wukun Wanambi, Lewis Wandin-Bursill, Sera Waters, Fred Williams, Dino Wilson, John Wolseley, Pedro Wonaeamirri, Gertie Yabbu, Wanapati Yunupinu.

@ Ian Potter Museum of Art

When
10 July - 21 Nov 2026

Location
The Potter Museum of Art
Cnr of Swanston St and Masson Rd, Parkville

Admission
Free

Wheelchair Accessible
Opening Hours
Opening 10 July 2026