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Songs, Stories + Art in May

First Peoples
This is a past event
First Peoples

Dates

1 May 2022 - 5 June 2022
Daily
24 Hours

Access

Lift access
Wheelchair accessible

Getting There

A celebration of place and culture, featuring Fed Live with Briggs, Josh Muir’s evocative final artwork series This Place and the never-before-seen powerful sculptural work Unvanished by Barkindji artist Kent Morris and Studio John Fish.

This May and early June, we are proud to be able to share and celebrate the songs, stories and art of many talented First Nations musicians, performers and artists – as we invite you to participate in live music events and community festivals, art installations and exhibitions, indigenous dance and more at Fed Square.

And you can enjoy live music and a journey through the cosmos at Fed Square after hours over two art-filled nights, as part of Art After Dark.

Check out all the activity below.

Josh Muir stylised Fed Sq letters using his This Place artwork
Fed Square Letters by Josh Muir

5 May–30 June | Swanston Street Forecourt

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.

Past Events:

It's A Mob Thing

Sunday 1 May, 12pm–5pm | Main Square

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 OUSSVAHS and First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing.

Human Rights Arts & Film Festival: Incarceration Nation

Thursday 5 May, 6:30pm | Big Screen

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.

Art After Dark

Friday 13 + Saturday 14 May | Main Square

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.

Hip hop artist Briggs is looking at the camera while wearing a black cap
Fed Live with Briggs

Friday 13 May, 4:30pm-7:45pm | Main Stage | Genre: Hip hop and soul

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.

Constellations

13-16 May | Main Square

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.

PHOTO 2022

29 April-22 May | The Atrium (outside)

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 Place by Josh Muir

4–22 May | The Atrium

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.

The Long Walk

Saturday 21 May, 12pm-5pm | Main Square

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.

Walyajatjara by Sandy Brumby
National Reconciliation Week at NGV

Tuesday 31 May | The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia & The Edge

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.

Learn More
Mabo Day 30th Anniversary

Friday 3 June, 6:15pm-7:30pm | Main Square

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

A render of the Unvanished installation at Fed Square
Unvanished

27 May–5 June | Main Square

“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.