MELBOURNE.- Monash University Museum of Art | MUMA is proud to present Awakening Histories, a landmark exhibition opening from 4 October – 6 December 2025 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.
“Foregrounding Indigenous sovereignty and ocean-centred storytelling, Awakening Histories offers a powerful counter-narrative to Eurocentric notions of ‘discovery’ and colonisation, says Dr 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.”
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.
“Previous exhibitions on the Makassan subject have foregrounded Australian First Nations perspectives, given the strength and proclivity of artmaking around this subject. This is the first exhibition to look at Makassan exchange from equal perspectives—looking out, and looking in. This is one of the learnings or aspects of the Global Encounters research that we have developed the exhibition around,” continues Dr Coates.
“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.”
Makassar State University lecturer, founder of the MAREGE Institute and curatorium member Nurabdiansyah writes, “In Makassar, we are rediscovering this important global history of exchange and learning more about the role of key cultural elements such as tamarind and palm wine. We initiated the MAREGE Institute, named for Marege, which is what the trepangers called northern Australia, to honour the sailors as historical and cultural figures, and it’s exciting to see this research contributing to a prestigious exhibition.”
Awakening Histories maps enduring reciprocal relationships across the Arafura Sea and beyond. Through painting, drawing, video, textiles and ceramics, the exhibition explores stories of memory, connection and sovereignty. Anchored in the historic trepang (sea cucumber) trade, this commodity connects the continent of Australia into a wider trade network, rethinking connections and exchange—of plants, people, language and culture.
Key works by John Bulunbulun, Nancy McDinny, Mathaman Marika, Mr N. Wunuŋmurra and Ms D. Yunupiŋu examine material and ceremonial practices surrounding the Makassan Prau, the knife dance, the tamarind tree and batik textiles—symbols of exchange, resilience and cultural renewal. These stories are reimagined and extended by a new generation of artists including Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Aziziah Diah Aprilya, Cian Dayrit, Karrabing Film Collective, Jenna Lee, Wilda Yanti Salam, The Mulka Project and Bulthirrirri Wunuŋmurra.
Featuring in the exhibition are six new commissions by Abdullah, Aprilya, Dayrit, Guan Wei Lee, and Darrell Sibosado, alongside powerful contributions from artists such as Gunybi Ganambarr, Dhambit Munuŋgurr and Margaret Rarru Garrawurra, whose works span land, water, sky and lore.
Awakening Histories will be accompanied by a vibrant public program including performance, talks, tours and food experiences that deepen audience engagement with the exhibition.
A dedicated film series will accompany the exhibition, featuring documentary and experimental works exploring maritime memory, ancestral storytelling and intercultural connection. Free public curatorial tours will be held on Tuesday 7 October at 10.30am and Thursday 9 October at midday.
The exhibition will travel to Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts | PICA, Boorloo/Perth and opens from 6 February – 20 March 2026.
