First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams

A new art trams series that honours Ancestral connections, shared histories and First Peoples women as connectors of cultural practice.

This year, five First Peoples curators have nominated artists' works. Artists selected for their dynamic multidisciplinary practices and contribution to Victorian First Peoples cultural revival, community-centered practice and their long-standing respect and recognition in community and arts sector. The works come from private collections of the artists and state and regional galleries. Each of the six works from Victorian First Peoples artists honour Ancestral knowledges and the role of First Peoples women, the continuum and revival of culture.

The legacy tram this year honours Beruk (William Barak) (Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung) and features a work from 1897 called Corroborree (Women in possum skin cloaks). This is a significant painting, which was returned to Victoria after being purchased from Sotheby's Auction house in 2022 by Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation, with support of the Victorian State Government.

Other featured artists include Maree Clarke, Kelly Koumalatsos, Jennifer Mullett, Patsy Smith and a collaborative work with Elders Laurel Robinson, Amy Briggs, Cynthia Hardie and Rochelle Patten.

Working across mediums and eras, they each present overlapping layers of culture and country in the lived experience of First Nations women. For 12 months, they’ll traverse the city streets as testaments to the power of their expression.

ARTISTS

• Beruk (Wiliam Barak) (WurundjeriWoi-wurrung)

• Maree Clarke (Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti, Boonwurrung)

• Kelly Koumalatsos (Wergaia, Wemba Wemba) 

• Jennifer Mullett (Gunaikurnai, Bidawal, Ngarigo) 

• Patsy Smith (Taungurung)

• Laurel Robinson (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri), Amy Briggs (Yorta Yorta), Cynthia Hardie (Yorta Yorta) and Rochelle Patten (Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Baraparapa)

Curatorial Collective 2025

The First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams 2025 curatorial collective has formed to select artists for the program. Convened by Senior Curator RISING Kimberley Moulton (Yorta Yorta), the curatorium includes highly experienced and community connected curators.

The curators are deeply engaged with First Peoples across the state and have decades-long practices in community arts development, exhibition making, research in both historical collections and contemporary art, and public art commissioning. This model for 2025 supports a collaborative and relationship-based approach to working between curators and with artists across organisations.

• Belinda Briggs (Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Wurundjeri and Ngiyampaa) Curator Indigenous Shepparton Art Museum

• Gail Harradine (Wotjobaluk, Djubagalk, Jadawadjali ) Curatorial Manager Koorie Heritage Trust

• Caine Muir (Yorta Yorta, Wati Wati and Ngarrindjeri), Curator First Peoples Collections Museums Victoria

• Stacie Piper (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum-Wurrung) Curator & Collections Victorian Indigenous Research Centre, State Library Victoria