Wominjeka Djeembana receive Maitri Cultural Partnerships Grant

Monash Art, Design and Architecture’s Wominjeka Djeembana research lab has recently received a Maitri Cultural Partnership Grant for the Ara-Thulu (tree) project.

The purpose of the project is to build a deeper understanding of the relationships that Indigenous peoples in Australia and India have to place and Country.

Ara-Thulu (tree) is a collaboration between Indigenous artists of southeast Australia and Odisha, India about the cultural significance of trees. This collaboration will create new artworks and performances through a program of workshops and artistic exchanges, culminating in a public exhibition and performance at Blak Dot Gallery Melbourne in early 2026.

Through a series of workshops and site visits to Victoria, Australia and Odisha, India the project team will facilitate; cultural and artistic exchanges, the collaborative development of new artworks in drawing, painting, printmaking and other media, and an innovative cross-cultural dance performance.

The project is led by Bundjalung, Kamilaroi and Muruwari artist Professor Brian Martin, Director of Wominjeka Djeembana Indigenous research lab in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, at Monash University and Saura Elder Srinivas Gamango, Tribal Village in Charge at the Paralakhemundi Campus at Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) and supported by a partnership between Wominjeka Djeembana Indigenous research lab, Monash University and the Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) in Odisha, India. The full project team includes: Professor Brian Martin, Srinivas Gomango, Professor N’Arweet Carolyn Briggs AM, Bradley Webb, Deeptimayee Patro and up to ten emerging Indigenous creatives from each locale of Australia and India.

The Maitri Cultural Partnerships support greater exchange and collaboration between Australian and Indian creative industries.

The Maitri (meaning friendship in Sanskrit) grants are administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations to deepen links with India and allow for closer collaboration between our two countries.

Learn more about the Maitri Cultural Partnerships Grants.

The Ara-Thulu (tree) project is supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations and in partnership with Centurion University of Technology and Management.