The Victorian First People’s Art & Design Fair shined a light on the incredible breadth and innovation of creative and cultural practice in Victoria.

The 2025 VFPADF exhibition showcase, featured contemporary art and design of 20 independent Victorian First Nations artists!

ARTISTS

Moorina Bonini (Wurundjeri, Yorta Yorta)

Lorraine Brigdale (Yorta Yorta)

Janet Bromley (Yorta Yorta)

 Bradley Brown (Gunditjmara, GunaiKurnai, Bidawal)

Glennys Briggs (Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta, Taungwurrung)

Trina Dalton-Oogjes (Wadawurrung/Wathaurung, Gunditjmara)

Talgium Edwards (Taungurong)

Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung)

Tammy Gilson (Wadawurrung)

Gail Harradine (Wotjobaluk, Jadawadjali, Djubagalk)

Darcy McConnell (Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta)

Jarra Karalinar Steel (Boonwurrung, Wemba Wemba, Trawlwoolway)

Kelly Koumalatsos (Wergaia, Wemba Wemba)

Steven Hall (Taungurung)

Ray Thomas (Gunnai)

Aunty Zeta Thomson (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri)

Lisa Waup (Gunditjmara, Torres Strait)

Peter Waples-Crowe (Ngarigo)

Lewis Wandin-Bursill (Wurundjeri)

Kim Wandin (Wurundjeri)

Glenda Nicholls (Waddi Waddi, Ngarrindjeri, Yorta Yorta) 

ART CENTRES

Baluk Arts, Mt Eliza: Adam Magennis (Bunurong), Iluka Sax-Williams (Taungurung Torres Strait)

Kaiela Arts, Shepparton: Jack Anselmi (Yorta Yorta), Ally Knight (Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kamilaroi), Norm Stewart (Kwat Kwat, Wurundjeri, Yalaba Yalaba, Moira).

Perridak Arts, Ballarat: Donna Blackall (Yorta Yorta, Taungurung), Adrian Rigney (Wotjobaluk, Ngarrindjeri)

The Torch, Naarm: Alfred Carter (Gunaikurnai), Jeffrey Jackson (Mutti Mutti)\, Robby Wirramanda (Wergaia, Wotjobaluk)

Tyendarra: Walter Saunders (Dhauwurd Wurrung), Kellie Frankland-Saunders (Dhauwurd Wurrung), Christine Pearce (Dhauwurd Wurrung), All Kilcarer and Gilga Gunditj (Dhauwurd Wurrung), Gunditjmara Original Custodians 

VPADF X MAF COMMISSION

Mitch Mahoney (Boonwurrung, Barkandji)

The Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair (VFPADF) Showcase Exhibition presented a platform to celebrate the rich cultural and creative diversity of Victorian First Peoples contemporary art and design.    

The exhibition featured new and recent work by twenty independent Victorian First Peoples artists and designers, alongside an additional seventeen presenting work with their respective Victorian First Peoples art centres.  

A range of contemporary works by emerging and established Victorian First Peoples artists featured including, painting, photography, weaving, textiles, carving, significant cultural objects, sculptural installations, and more. A dedicated video program was also included, offering a cutting-edge curated selection of digital works such as short film, video, and animation.  

Additionally, Mitch Mahoney was awarded the inaugural VFPADF Commission which was presented as part of the Melbourne Art Fair Commissions program.

Collectively representing more than twenty Victorian First Peoples language groups from regions across the state, the VFPADF Showcase Exhibition highlights the incredible breadth of creative and cultural practice in Victoria. The exhibition also provided a unique opportunity for collectors to meet, connect with, and hear directly from Victorian First Peoples artists and designers. 

Significantly, the VFPADF exhibition delivered crucial economic benefits to Victorian First Peoples communities, with all sale proceeds going directly to participating artists and art centres.  

The VFPADF is led by the First Peoples Directions Circle – a group of esteemed First Peoples creative leaders who guide the work of Creative Victoria – and was curated by Janina Harding and Dr. Jessica Clark. The VFPADF is an initiative of the Victorian Government’s Creative State 2025 strategy.  

Janina Harding and Dr Jessica Clark

All Photos by James Henry