The Southern Highlands' first regional art gallery, Ngununggula, has announced details for Voyager - its inaugural International Project showcasing works by acclaimed Aotearoa - New Zealand artist Lisa Reihana.

Set to be presented from the 6th of September until the 9th of November 2025, Voyager is an Australian exclusive survey exhibition celebrating the diversity of Reihana's internationally acclaimed art practice. The exhibition will include a major new site specific, outdoor installation that will see the artist adorn the entrance of the gallery with an artwork created with hundreds of reflective discs designed to glisten and move with the wind.

The commissioned work 'Belong' draws inspiration from the gallery's location, and from Reihana's recent outdoor sculpture, Glisten (2024), commissioned by the National Gallery Singapore. Spanning all four gallery spaces at Ngununggula, the exhibition showcases recent works, some that have never been seen in Australia, including commissions and collaborative projects from around the world. This important second survey for the artist is centred around work made between 2018 - 2025.

A diverse range of innovative moving image and photographic works will be presented alongside custom wallpapers, and a quilt handcrafted by the artist early in her career. Each work breathes new life into historical narratives, illuminating their fundamental role in guiding our contemporary relationship with the land, sea and one another.

Reihana spoke about her inspiration and the broader meaning behind the exhibition.

"As visitors enter Ngununggula, they are greeted by a bold and shimmering artwork adorning the fabric of the building. 'Belong' recognises the Gundungurra language name of the gallery meaning 'belonging', gifted by the late Aunty Velma Mulcahy OAM. The inspiration for the work is taniko weaving found on the borders of Māori kakahu or cloaks," she said.

"The chevron or zig-zag pattern called Kaokao is said to represent the arms of warriors performing a haka. It can also symbolise mountains, strength, and the shelter of the meeting house. Choosing this pattern references the Southern Highland mountains where Ngununggula is situated, and the sanctuary it provides for the community and the creative arts."

Reihana is an artist of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāi Tū descent whose distinctive cinematic language challenges the biases of recorded histories, re-centering non-Western cultural identities and reshaping how histories of colonisation are represented and remembered.

Continually pushing boundaries, Reihana integrates emerging digital technologies and virtual spaces into her practice, fusing historical narratives with contemporary expression to offer a powerful and dynamic contemporary commentary. In 2017, Reihana represented Aotearoa at the Venice Biennale with her landmark video installation in Pursuit of Venus [infected] (2015–17), a seminal work in Aotearoa's art history canon that continues to be exhibited internationally to widespread critical acclaim.

Lisa Reihana, Kahurangi, 2023, eco solvent paper, 120 x 76 cm, Edition of 5 plus 2 AP. (Image: courtesy of Lisa Reihana and Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Sydney, Australia.)

Ngununggula gallery director Susi Muddiman said the new exhibition is not only a celebration of Reihana's talent and vision but also a milestone for Ngununggula's program.

"This is an exciting milestone for Ngununggula's program, and it is a joy to present such a significant international project early in my role at the gallery. Showcasing the work of globally acclaimed artist Lisa Reihana marks an important turning point in the gallery's evolution, as it represents our first venture into hosting an international exhibition," she said.

"Lisa is renowned for her exquisite and immersive works. We are honoured to present a selection of works that have never been exhibited in Australia, including a new commissioned work created specifically for the Ngununggula Entry Pavilion. Her ability to weave together history and contemporary life through intricate and thoughtful storytelling is truly captivating. Every piece I have encountered has completely drawn me in, and I have no doubt that this exhibition will resonate powerfully with our audience."

Works in the exhibition include Māramatanga (2024), GOLD_LEAD_WOOD_COAL (2024), Struggler (2023), Departure (2022), Tableau Vivant (2022), IHI (2020) and CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN – A REVERIE (2020).

Voyager by Lisa Reihana will be open free to the public from the 6th of September until the 9th of November 2025. To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, Lisa Reihana will be giving an Artist Talk in the gallery on Sunday the 7th of September at 11am.

For more fashion, arts, culture and lifestyle news subscribe for free to the Style Up newsletter.