Songs, Stories + Art in May

Josh Muir, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta man and celebrated artist, sadly passed in February this year, at the age of 30. Before Josh passed away, he was working towards an exhibition and a series of projects at Fed Square in Melbourne. With the blessing of his family, &Gallery Australia and Fed Square will be presenting these projects, with all artworks for sale for the benefit of his children, Jamari & Jyla.

It’s a Mob Thing Health Music Festival is a family-friendly First Nations community event. Featuring activities for kids, live music and food stalls, the program includes a Welcome to Country and performances by Philly, Benny Walker, Djirri Djirri, Kiwat Kennell, Ridzy Ray, The Merindas and Pet$.

Presented by OUSS, VAHS and First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing.

The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival and Fed Square present Incarceration Nation – a story of strength and resistance in the face of racism and oppression. The documentary film lays bare the story of the continued systemic injustice and oppression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on their own land, told by Indigenous Australians.

Fed Square will come to life after dark, starting on Friday night with an epic Fed Live with Briggs. Featuring a top line-up of all-First Nations artists, including rapper and hip-hop artist Briggs, alongside Kee’ahn, Soju Gang and Izy. The free show will be followed by the launch of Constellations by international artist Joanie Lemercier. This fascinating art installation will light up Fed Square across the weekend with a 3D visual masterpiece exploring the cosmos.

A free, all-ages gig featuring an incredible line-up of First Nations artists. Briggs headlines, with support performances by Kee’ahn, Soju Gang and Izy. Expect everything from rap, hip-hop and soul to get-on-your-feet DJ mixes.

*Please note, Briggs’ set will contain some explicit language. Viewer discretion advised.

Fed Square will light up over three nights for the Art After Dark Melbourne festival with Constellations, an art installation that has never been seen before in Australia by international artist Joanie Lemercier.

Untitled Film Still is the largest single work at PHOTO 2022, and will be installed across the entire Flinders Street facade of the Atrium at Fed Square, overlooking Hosier Lane. This iconic image by Cindy Sherman is integrated into the urban landscape, introducing Sherman’s work to a new generation.

This exhibition will present a series of Muir’s final works, which he was working towards when he passed in February this year. With the blessing of his family, &Gallery Australia and Fed Square will be presenting this exhibition, with all artworks for sale for the benefit of his children, Jamari & Jyla.

Michael Long and the Long Walk return to Fed Square with live music performed by some of Australia’s leading Indigenous artists, free sport and art activations for the family, and a huge BBQ put on by Scouts Victoria. The event will again conclude with the Walk to the G, as part of the traditional Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond.

As part of the Department of Education and Training’s Positive Start initiative, and in partnership with Fed Square, the NGV warmly invites Year 3-6 students from Government and low fee paying non-government schools to engage with the themes of National Reconciliation Week through an immersive program of Indigenous art and dance at NGV Australia and Fed Square.

Join us in celebrating the musical traditions and history of the Torres Strait, with the launch of Jessie Lloyd’s Ailan Songs project.

“We are here, we have always been here, but too often we and our stories are unseen and unknown. We have not vanished.” – Kent Morris.

Marking the beginning of Reconciliation Week, the new sculpture, Unvanished, by Barkindji artist Kent Morris and Studio John Fish will be unveiled.