Global Encounters and First Nations Peoples: 1000 Years of Australian History

About 

MUMA collaborated with the ARC project Global Encounters and First Nations Peoples: 1000 Years of Australian History over a number of years to develop Awakening Histories, a major exhibition at MUMA in 2025 opened by The Indonesian Ambassador to Australia and Vanuatu, His Excellency Dr Siswo Pramono. The exhibition travels to Perth Institute for Contemporary Arts in 2026.

Awakening Histories is a landmark exhibition that explores the deep connections between the First Nations Peoples of Northern Australia and the Makassan seafarers of South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The exhibition brings together 27 artists and collectives from Australia, Indonesia, China and the Philippines, including seven new commissions, alongside significant works from national and international collections, honouring a shared history of migration, trade and cultural exchange that spans more than a millennium.

Developed in collaboration with a group of nine researchers and curators from across Australia and Indonesia, Awakening Histories extends the ground-breaking work of the Australian Research Council Laureate project Global Encounters and First Nations Peoples: 1000 Years of Australian History led by Professor Lynette Russell AM.

“Foregrounding Indigenous sovereignty and ocean-centred storytelling, Awakening Histories offers a powerful counter-narrative to Eurocentric notions of ‘discovery’ and colonisation”, says Professor Rebecca Coates, Curatorium member and Director of MUMA. “This exhibition reveals a powerful truth: That First Nations Peoples have long histories of connection and exchange across the seas, challenging colonial versions of Australia’s past.”

“It reclaims these shared histories and invites us to reflect on their significance through the voices of contemporary artists,” states Professor Russell. “By foregrounding First Nations perspectives alongside those from South Sulawesi and beyond, Awakening Histories challenges colonial narratives and amplifies the deep cultural and diplomatic ties that existed across the Arafura Sea long before European contact. This exhibition is a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness—past, present and future.”

Awakening Histories is presented in partnership with Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA). Exhibition tour dates to PICA, 6 February – 29 March 2026.

Artists and Participants 

Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Aziziah Diah Aprilya, Zaenal Beta, John Bulunbulun (Ganalbingu), Cian Dayrit, Dogmilk Films, Gunybi Ganambarr (Naymil), Global Encounters Monash and MAREGE Institute, Guan Wei, Colin Heenan-Purunatameri and Michelle Woody Minnapinni (Tiwi), Karrabing Film Collective, Abdi Karya and Sana, Jenna Lee (Larrakia, Wardaman, Karajarri), Nancy McDinny (Garrwa, Yanyuwa), Mathaman Marika (Rirratjingu), Mawalan 1 Marika (Rirratjingu), The Mulka Project, Dhambit Munuŋgurr (Djapu, Waṉḏawuy, Dhuwa), Trevor Nakanapa Maminyamanja (Anindilyaugwa), Ipeh Nur, Margaret Rarru Garrawurra (Liyagawumirr, Garrawurra), Wilda Yanti Salam, Darrell Sibosado (Bard), Ms M Wirrpanda (Dhuḏi-Djapu), Bulthirrirri Wunuŋmurra (Dhaḻwaŋu),Mr N Wunuŋmurra (Dhaḻwaŋu) and Ms D Yinupiŋu (Gumatj, Rrakpala).

Outcomes

• Newly commissioned artworks by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Aziziah Diah Aprilya, Cian Dayrit, Guan Wei, Jenna Lee and Darrell Sibosado.
• Video content featuring artists Aziziah Diah Aprilya, Darrell Sibosado and Abdi Karya and MUMA Director Rebecca Coates
• Art+Film: The Mulka Project screening and in conversation with Amanda Haskard, presented with ACMI
• Curatorial and Artist Talks
• Performance by Abdi Karya
• Poster with artist statements translated into Bahasa
• Artwork Labels - new interpretive texts on artworks translated into Bahasa
• Deadly Learning and Educational Resources

^{Image: Mr Nawurapu Wunuŋmurra, Waŋupini 2017, natural pigments on bark, 175 x 73 cm, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Gadigal Country/Sydney. Bulthirrirri Wunuŋmurra, Rupa 2023, six ceramic vessels, natural pigments, installed dimensions variable. Monash University Collection, Narrm/Melbourne. Mr Nawurapu Wunuŋmurra and Galeri Buana Alit, Yirrkala Batik 2014, hand-drawn batik on cotton, 278 x 108 cm, Museum Tekstil, Jakarta Art Museum Management Unit. Installation view, Awakening Histories, Monash University Museum of Art, Naarm/Melbourne, 2025. Photo: Andrew Curtis}