Exhibitions Open to the Public
Kattidj Nagãr [Peaceful Quiet Reflection]
Kattidj Nagãr features artworks and personal objects created by the children who were forcibly removed from their families and detained at the Carrolup Native Settlement in the 1940s
Once Known
Opening for the first time at the Old Perth Boys’ School, Once Known, presents a selection of meticulous reproductions of the delicate and treasured artworks created by Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families and detained at the Carrolup Native Settlement in the 1940s.
Upcoming Events
Once Known: Guided Tours
Programmed as part of Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival
Find us on Instagram
⭐️ 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒!
Step into a creative, dynamic, and fast-paced environment as the Communications and Engagement Coordinator!
This is your chance to bring your passion for storytelling to life while promoting a well-regarded arts institution with exciting exhibitions, programs, and the Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling. You`ll lead communication efforts that engage diverse audiences through a mix of traditional and digital media, helping to raise the gallery`s profile and create a lasting impact.
Join a supportive, collaborative team that thrives on innovation and flexibility —offering you the freedom to try new ideas and shape your approach to communication. If you`re ready to dive into a role with diverse and exciting projects in a flexible, creative setting, this is your moment to shine!
🔗 LINK in BIO for more information.
Alternatively, visit: http://bit.ly/42BxiLm or find on the Seek website.
@curtinuniversity @curtinlife @curtinalumni @mcasi @curtinbfagrads @curtindbe @uama @amaga_wa @_artshub #artsjobs #perthartsjobs #galleryjob
LAST DAY Thurs 17 April ✨
Our Perth Festival exhibitions for 2025 will soon come to an end.
It has been a joy and a priviledge to feature the amazing work of Alice Guiness `Burndud Ground` & Mai Nguyễn-Long `Doba Nation`
🎁 Looking for a gift? Check out our Gallery Shop while you are here!
Burndud Ground is a @perthfest and @juluwarluartgroup commission and is part of the Boorloo Contemporary Program in partnership with @wesfarmersarts
‘Doba Nation’ is presented with @perthfest
@mainguyenlong is represented by @michaelreidsydney
✨ Our latest Carrolup exhibition, ‘Once Known’ opened to the public last week at the Old Perth Boys’ School at 139 St Georges Terrace as part of the Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival.
Curated by former Director Chris Malcolm in consultation with the Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling Reference Group, ‘Once Known’ shares meticulous reproductions from the delicate originals, providing greater accessibility to the artworks in the lead up to the opening of the Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling within the John Curtin Gallery at Curtin University, Bentley campus where the original artworks will be on year-round display from 2026. While hundreds of children were detained at Carrolup, only 17 artists have been attributed to works in the Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork. The ‘Once Known’ exhibition is a reminder that each child had a name, a family, and a story.
Open during the Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival: 4 – 17 Apr 2025, weekdays 11am – 3pm then reopening to the public Monday 28 Apr. Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 11am – 4pm (closed Wednesdays and Weekends).
For more information and to see our upcoming events for ‘Once Known’, visit www.curtin.edu.au/jcg/exhibitions/carrolup-once-known/ or LINK in BIO
Photography by Marnie Richardson
@curtinuniversity #Carrolup #CarrolupCentreforTruthtelling #OnceKnown #OldPerthBoysSchool #JohnCurtinGallery #CurtinUniversity #BoorlooHeritageFestival
✨ Mai Nguyễn-Long`s large-scale installation `Doba Nation` features hand-formed clay sculptures that are arranged by the artist on site in a process akin to live storytelling. It has been a joy and privilege to work with Mai and capture this process in motion.
Be sure to visit `Doba Nation` before it closes, only one week left!
‘Doba Nation’ is presented with @perthfest
@mainguyenlong is represented by @michaelreidsydney
Join us for a series of events as part of the Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival for `Once Known` at the Old Perth Boys’ School. These events delve into this exhibition featuring the extraordinary artworks created by Aboriginal children taken from their families and detained at the Carrolup Native Settlement in the 1940s.
Truth Talks led by Ron Bradfield Jr and Patricia Ryder.
4 and 11 April 12-1pm.
Curator Tour led by Chris Malcolm.
8 April 3-4pm.
Guided Tours led by Patricia Ryder, Ron Bradfield Jr and Lisa Liebetrau.
Tour dates: 7, 15, 17 April 10-11am and 10 April 3-4pm.
To book visit https://events.humanitix.com/host/john-curtin-gallery or via link in BIO.
Supported By: Lotterywest, BHP, Colgate University, City of Perth, Navigators.
Exhibition open as part of Boorloo Heritage Festival: 4 April - 17 April 2025, then reopening Monday 28 April. For further information or to contact us visit curtin.edu.au/jcg
Image: Once known child artist, `Teapot`, 1946-50, pastel on paper, 17.5 x 24.5 cm. Curtin University Art Collection. The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artwork.
#Carrolup #CarrolupCentreforTruthtelling #OnceKnown #OldPerthBoysSchool #JohnCurtinGallery #CurtinUniversity #BoorlooHeritageFestival
Mai Nguyễn-Long
Doba Nation
The clusters of ceramic forms that comprise Doba Nation are humorously defiant. Eyes bulge, mouths expel tongues and vomit, tiny Poo Balls are scattered throughout. Positioned on travel crates, repurposed as plinths, there is a sense of things being impermanent, unstable or on the move. This is a ramshackle chorus of rejected selves, claiming space and community.
Mai Nguyễn-Long’s cylindrical forms are inspired by post-Vietnam War bomb shell casings that some residents of rural Vietnam have repurposed for practical use. Other disturbing connections to war have also found their way into her work – the striking orange of her Vomit Girl figures alludes to the notorious use of the defoliant ‘Agent Orange’ by US forces. These characteristic figures seem to be evolving into increasingly complex, rhythmic forms with holes, prongs and looping appendages jostling over the surface. Other slip painted forms appear to be in the process of transformation or disintegration. Tubular shapes reach out, holes searching like blind mouths or nostrils. At times complete faces are represented; their diversely stumpy, mutating shapes a reminder of Vomit Girl’s genesis. There is a clear evolution here that suggests an eventual reunification of lost parts. This transformative aspect underpins a provocative complexity to Mai Nguyễn-Long’s work that is deeply compelling.
Lia McKnight, Curator
Only a few weeks left!
Exhibition ends 17 Apr.
For more information, visit curtin.edu.au/jcg or LINK in BIO
‘Doba Nation’ is presented with @perthfest
@mainguyenlong is represented by @michaelreidsydney
📸 Portrait by Ezra Alcantra. Installation views by John Curtin Gallery.
Images 3 & 6: Doba Nation (details), 2023. Photos by Daniel Soma, courtesy of the artist and Michael Reid Sydney + Berlin.
Alice Guiness
Burndud Ground
The Burndud ceremony is a special and unique cultural obligation where each member of Yindjibarndi must attend and participate . . . It also reminds us that there is a harmony within our lives that incorporates all living things on Ngurra (country).
As we see Mum Alice paint the Burndud, we are reminded of her personal ability and her everyday challenges she faces to communicate her feelings and what drives her to make the Burndud her main piece and focus when doing her artwork.
I have learnt over the years that her Burndud depictions are deep messages of what she sees as important things in our lives – Ceremony, Family, Galharra, Ngurra and the Songs . . . Through art she is teaching us the true meaning of balancing our two worlds.
Art is her nourishment; she communicates through it. Art is a human creativity. And it matters when we want to make sense of life. Mum Alice is desperately helping us to make sense of her life, she is telling us her story . . . When we start to listen to each other, that’s when the healing happens.
Lorraine Coppin
Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation
Excerpt from a catalogue essay, January 2025
Only a few weeks left!
Exhibition ends 17 Apr.
For more information, visit curtin.edu.au/jcg or LINK in BIO
Burndud Ground is a @perthfest and @juluwarluartgroup commission and is part of the Boorloo Contemporary Program in partnership with @wesfarmersarts
📸 Portrait by Marnie Richardson, courtesy of Perth Festival. Installation views by John Curtin Gallery.
☀️SUNDAY 16 March 11am - 12:30pm
🎧AUDIO DESCRIBED EXHIBITION TOUR
Join audio describer Richard Green for a guided exploration of two captivating exhibitions, this tour is designed specifically for visually impaired visitors.
In a relaxed and welcoming setting, Richard will provide in-depth verbal descriptions of key artworks, conveying their shapes, textures, colours, and compositions. Through expressive storytelling and sensory-rich language, he will bring the artworks to life
This interactive tour encourages questions and discussion, creating a shared experience where you can engage with the art beyond sight. Whether you’re a regular gallery visitor or new to audio-described tours, this is an opportunity to connect with the exhibitions in a meaningful and immersive way.
The tour will be conducted for JCG’s Perth Festival Exhibitions `Burndud Ground` and `Doba Nation`. Visit our exhibitions page for more information
Spaces for this event are limited, if the morning session is sold out, please join the waiting list at our registration link and a second session on this day can be arranged in the afternoon. Book through our website www.curtin.edu.au/jcg/events/audio-described-exhibition-tour/ or via LINK in BIO
This audio described tour is suitable for all ages, but children must be accompanied by a guardian.
FREE EVENT
This event is supported by Perth Festival. @perthfest
⭐️ Wednesday 👉 12, 26 March & 9 April, 4-5pm
AFTER SCHOOL STORY TELLING SESSIONS
Join us for a special storytelling series featuring Yindjibarndi Creation Stories from Juluwarlu’s storybooks.
Connect with Yindjibarndi storytelling traditions facilitated by JCG’s Education Coordinator, Dr. Neeti Sethi. These readings from ‘Ngurra Nyujunggamu – When the World Was Soft – Yindjibarndi Creation Stories’ are followed by fun, hands-on creative activities and games inspired by the stories.
Open to all ages and no artistic skills needed, just bring your imagination!
FREE EVENT
For more information, check out our webite curtin.edu.au/jcg or LINK in BIO.
Be sure to check out our other upcoming events 👇
⭐️ Friday 14 Mar 12-2pm
SKIN IN THE GAME: PANEL DISCUSSION
What does it mean to survive colonisation, war, occupation, another culture or countries laws and generational change? See our website for more information.
⭐️ Sunday 16 March 11am-12:30pm
AUDIO DESCRIBED TOUR
Join us for a guided exploration of two captivating exhibitions specifically designed for visually impaired visitors. Spaces limited – please book via our website.
🖼️ Alice Guiness, ‘Burndud Ground’, 2024, acrylic on canvas
REPOST 🔁
Many thanks @nitv_au 🙏
……………………
Guurruu Alice Guiness paints what she sees as important: ceremony, family, Galharra (Kinship), Ngurra (Country) and Songs.
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4hiSFXR or Link in BIO
✨Thurs 6 March
Experience the magic of art in a whole new time!
Staying open until 7pm - visit us for a twilight viewing at the JCG where you can explore our 2025 Perth Festival exhibitions ‘Alice Guiness: Burndud Ground’ & ‘Mai Nguyễn-Long: Doba Nation’
Take advantage of the FREE PARKING from 4:30pm and enjoy the art at a new convenient time.
Make it an evening with eateries located close by at Curtin Exchange https://exchange.curtin.edu.au/shop-dine/
Can’t make the 6th? We will have a second Twilight Viewing on Thursday 20 March 🙌
@perthfest @juluwarluartgroup @mainguyenlong @curtinuniversity @curtinlifeaustralia @explore_curtin
#pertharts #exhibitionopening #aliceguiness #juluwarlu #burndud #MaiNguyễnLong #dobanation #vomitgirl #curtinart #PerthFestival25 #ArtExhibition #FreeEvent #curtinuniversity #CurtinLife
Friday 7 March, 12:30-1:30pm
Join us for a guided tour with JCG Curator Lia McKnight through our Perth Festival Exhibitions! 🌟 Gain an in-depth look into the creative process behind these two incredible exhibitions:
• Alice Guiness’s ‘Burndud Ground’: Experience the Burndud ceremony through stunning paintings, neon sculptures, and media installations.
• Mai Nguyễn-Long`s ‘Doba Nation’: Discover a captivating storytelling installation featuring hand-formed clay sculptures.
✨Free Event. To book, visit: curtin.edu.au/jcg/events/curator-tour or via Link in Bio
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‘Burndud Ground’ is a @perthfest and @juluwarluartgroup commission and is part of the Boorloo Contemporary Program in partnership with @wesfarmersarts
‘Doba Nation’ is presented with @perthfest @mainguyenlong @michaelreidsydney
📸 Exhibition photos by John Curtin Gallery.
Opening event image of Lia McKnight (centre) with Alice Guiness (left) & Mai Nguyễn-Long (right). Photo by Ezra Alcantra
#pertharts #exhibitionopening #aliceguiness #juluwarlu #burndud #MaiNguyễnLong #dobanation #vomitgirl #curtinart #PerthFestival25 #ArtExhibition #FreeEvent #JCGCuratorTour #curtinuniversity
Locations
John Curtin Gallery Curtin University
Building 200A Curtin University, Kent Street
Bentley, Western Australia 6102
Phone: 08 9266 4155
Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 12pm – 4pm
Closed Saturdays and Public Holidays
COMING SOON: Once Known – A Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling exhibition
Presented at the Old Perth Boys’ School
Curtin 139 St Georges Terrace,
Perth, Western Australia 6000
Coming soon
