Join us for an artist performance and talk with our Perth Festival artists!
Balanca na Balanydja (exchange to exchange)
This performance brings together Nebbie Burrarwanga, a young leader from the Gumatj clan of Elcho Island in the Northern Territory, and descendant of Makassan trepangers, with Abdi Karya, a performance artist from Makassar. Through a symbolic encounter, they embody a spiritual bond and sense of brotherhood separated by time and space, representing the long and profound relationship between Australia and Indonesia, disrupted by colonialism.
Through the interplay of Yolŋu and Makassan bodies, the work revives collective memories of maritime encounters, shared knowledge, language, spirituality, and cosmology forged through the trepang trade. Presented on Borloo (Perth) land, facing the Indian Ocean, the performance highlights Australia’s enduring connections with the world and invites reflection on contemporary global issues, reminding us that a shared future depends on learning from the past and responding consciously to the present.
Artist talk
Nebbie Burrarwanga, Michael Hohnen, and Abdi Karya come together to discuss the creation of works presented in John Curtin Gallery’s Perth Festival program. The conversation will explore a multi-channel sound work developed in collaboration with Thania Petersen for her exhibition JAWAP, alongside a new textile work created for the Dhomala exhibition.
Drawing on many years of cross-cultural collaboration, the panel offers insight into the historical and contemporary relationships between Yolŋu and Makassan peoples, reflecting on shared cultural knowledge, creative exchange, and ongoing connections across time and place.
Artist bios
Nebbie (Nebuchadnezzar) Nalibidj Burarrwanga hails from the famous Burarrwanga family of artists and performers off Northeast Arnhem Land. A proud Gumatj singer, yidaki (didjeridoo) player, known dancer and performer, Nebbie lives between Elcho Island and Golbourn Island. His main activity is in ceremony in remote Arnhem Land, and teaching youth through the Yalu organisation. Over the last ten years has performed in front of international audiences including Sydney Festival, Perth Festival, Adelaide and Darwin Festivals and presented multi-disciplinary works in Australia and Indonesia. His traditional knowledge, musical language and musicianship as well as his bright and explosive dance character enamour him to audiences of any culture or background.
Abdi Karya is a multi-disciplinary artist from South Sulawesi. He grew up in both the Bugis and Makassar tradition while practicing contemporary arts in order to talk about local-interlocal-national-global issues. His solo works, as well as his artistic encounters with Australian and Yolŋu artists has been presented at multi-disciplinary platforms in Indonesia, Europe, New York, Asia and Australia. Recently, along with Skinnyfish Music, he is developing a promising contemporary opera project that explore the love story between Australia aboriginal people and the Makassans.
Producer of several ARIA award-winning albums, Michael Hohnen is best known for his close personal, musical and professional partnership with the late, revered Yolngu musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, as well as Creative Director of Skinnyfish Music.
A graduate of Melbourne’s VCA, and with a musical career spanning over 35 years, during the late 80’s early 90’s Michael toured Europe with indie band The Killjoys and a chamber string orchestra. He has toured Australia, Europe and Asia multiple times as a musical director, producer and musician. He has worked with more than 30 First Nations communities across NT and nationally with Sarah Blasko, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Delta Goodrem, Tasman Keith, Briggs, and the late Ross Hannaford.
He is co-producer of a multi-disciplinary dance event called Bunggul, that has showcased at major festivals across Australia with symphony orchestras and members of Gurrumul’s direct family and has produced numerous albums including the latest release Banbirringu – The Orchestral Sessions.
Current projects include Sombalak, a Makassan theatre/opera, ‘Reawakening Songs in palawa kani’ a live show/album with Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Dewayne Everettsmith and recent album release ‘Blak on Trak’ from exciting up and coming Kimberly artist ICONYX.
Event Details
Sunday 8 February 2026
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Free event, open to the public
Light refreshments provided
Photography
This event will be photographed and/or videoed and images will occasionally be used for promotional and marketing purposes, including social media. If you do not wish to be photographed or videoed, please notify staff at event registration.
Accessibility Everyone is welcome at the John Curtin Gallery. Plan your visit to the John Curtin Gallery.
Image: Abdi Karya, Hail the Sail (detail), 2026, hand-woven palm fibre, silk, cotton, polyester, and various Bugis hand-woven sarungs from Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi, 280 × 490 cm. Photo by Gaylene Galardi.
