Entertainment
13 March, 2026
‘Bold’ ceramics debut in Cairns
CAIRNS Art Gallery will host the first showing of a new national touring exhibition celebrating contemporary First Nations ceramics.
Of This Earth: Transforming Culture and Country through First Nations Ceramics, organised by the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), opens this weekend and will travel to six institutions after Cairns’ debut.
The exhibition brings together more than 29 works by 28 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists drawn from the national collection.
From 14 March 2026, visitors will be able to view works by Thancoupie (Dhaynagwidh/Thaynakwith people), Billy Bain (Dharug people), Nicole Foreshew (Wiradjuri people) and Janet Fieldhouse (Kalaw Lagaw Ya/Meriam Mir peoples), among others.
The exhibition highlights the long cultural history of clay in First Nations communities and its continuing evolution in contemporary art.
Tina Baum, Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples, Head Curator, First Nations Art, NGA, said the exhibition presents major works from across the country that are “bold and expressive” offering audiences a compelling encounter.
NGA director, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said the touring exhibition connects regional audiences with works in the national collection.
“The National Gallery is proud to share Of This Earth with communities around the country. The exhibition highlights the power and imagination of First Nations artists, who continue to transform tradition through contemporary practice.”
The exhibition will open with a public event at Cairns Art Gallery today from 6pm to 8pm.
The opening will include a Welcome to Country by Professor Henrietta Fourmile-Marrie AM, Gimuy Walubara Yidinji and a guest address by Tina Baum.
Ms Baum will also present an exhibition curator talk on Saturday 14 March from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Both events are free and require bookings through the Cairns Art Gallery website.
