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!

VFPADF ART FAIR 
Moorina Bonini (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri, Wiradjuri)
Lorraine Brigdale (Yorta Yorta)
Glennys Briggs (Yorta Yorta, Taungurung, Wiradjuri)
Janet Bromley (Yorta Yorta)
Bradley Brown (Gunditjmara, Gunai Kurnai, Bidawal)
Trina Dalton-Oogjes (Wadawurrung/Wathaurung, Gunditjmara)
Talgium Edwards (Taungurong, Yorta Yorta, Muthi Muthi, Boonwerung and Palawa)
Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung)
Tammy Gilson (Wadawurrung)
ENOKi (Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta)
Gail Harradine (Wotjobaluk, Djubagalk, Jadawadjali)
Kelly Koumalatsos (Wergaia, Wamba Wamba)
Glenda Nicholls (Waddi Waddi, Ngarrindjeri, Yorta Yorta)
Ray Thomas (Gunnai)
Aunty Zeta Thomson (Wurundjeri, Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Wuradjeri)
Aunty Kim Wandin (Wurundjeri)
Lewis Wandin-Bursill (Wurundjeri)
Peter Waples-Crowe (Ngarigo)
Lisa Waup (Gunditjmara, Torres Strait)
Walter Saunders (Dhauwurd Wurrung) 
Kellie Frankland-Saunders (Dhauwurd Wurrung) 
Christine Pearce (Dhauwurd Wurrung) 
All Kilcarer and Gilga Gunditj (Dhauwurd Wurrung) 
Gunditjmara Original Custodians 

VFPADF COMMISSION 
Mitch Mahoney (Boonwurrung, Barkandji) 

Photos by James Henry

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.