arts

First Nations artists bring stories of culture and history to Naarm with FUTURE COUNTRY

Jarred Cross Published March 18, 2026 at 4.00pm (AWST)

It's the second iteration of the NGV and fashion label Country Road, pairing emerging artists with mentors to create their works. (Image: supplied, NGV)

An exhibition of works created by First Nations artists, exploring a breadth of medium, and coming from each corner of the continent opens to the public in Naarm on Friday.

The National Gallery of Victoria's (NGV) Ian Potter Centre houses the second interaction of the gallery and fashion label Country Road's Indigenous commissions initiative; FUTURE COUNTRY.

The partnership brings together artworks from each state and territory, connecting emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers to produce them.

It comes after 2024's debut MY COUNTRY.

*Featured mentor and artist Doreen Jinggarrabarra and Stephanie Ali. (Image: Alana Holmberg)*

Burarra woman Stephanie Ali, with mentor Doreen Jinggarrabarra, hangs a suspended installation of dilly bags, fish traps and fish fences as a passing down of cultural knowledge.

Kaurna, Narungga and NgarrindjeriCarly artist Carly Tarkari Dodd, incorporates 'mission mugshots' onto hand-stitched possum-cloaks, with Yhonnie Scarce as mentor.

200 slip-cast marina shells come to Naarm from Palawa and Warlpiri artist Nunami Scunthorpe-Green and Lola Greeno.

Yindjibarndi artist Katie West presents history of the Stolen Generations and family, with mentor Clothilde Bullen, in a video work.

Senior Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian with Wiradjuri, Walgalu and Ngunnawal ancestry Paul Girrawah House, with Brenda L Croft, presents an installation of seven coolamons (traditional containers or carrying vessels).

Nywaigi, Meriam and Manbarra woman Boneta-Marie Mabo, with mentor Megan Cope, contributes a representation of 238 years of colonisation with 238 white cotton ragdolls in a rusted iron cot.

Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa Charlotte Allingham (Coffinbirth) woman, with Karla Dickens, presents a 'Maggie Doll' piece with accompanying lifesize doll box for others to step inside.

Those who witness Jahkarli Felicitas Romanis' Ancestral lands on Pitta Pitta Country can immerse their thoughts in the treatment of Countrym, mentored by Brook Andrew.

Large-scale landscape photograph of Jahkarli Felicitas Romanis' Ancestral lands on Pitta Pitta Country, which viewers can walk across to reflect on the treatment of Country.