We are all looking forward to celebrating with Aunties Amy Briggs, Cynthia Hardie, Rochelle Patten and Laurel Robinson on Tuesday 10 June when their First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams will be released.  

Presented as part of RISING Melbourne, their artwork, Nyini – Nyinin – Nyiniak (Past, Present, Future) – Blak, Loud and Proud (2024), will be installed onto a B Class #2017 tram that will run along routes 3, 64 and 67 over the following 12 months. Keep an eye out for their distinctive and powerful collaborative work. From their artist statement:  

“We all have a different story, but our artwork is a collaboration. Each section shares our true memories of the past, what we were told from our elders. We come together as artists to let people know we are still here after thousands of years, still striving for better conditions, still fighting, still telling our stories for our future. We keep the fire burning through our painting, and we continue what the Elders did before us to care for animals and Country, especially our rivers. Our painting is about the past and creating a better future for the next generations.” 

We extended our gratitude to the First Peoples Melbourne Art Tram curatorium team for choosing to work with our artists and recognising the long-standing, contributions our Elders have made through their dynamic, community-centred, multidisciplinary practices towards Victorian First Peoples cultural revival. We are incredibly proud to be part of this journey. 

Read more about this beautiful project and all the people involved on the RISING Melbourne website.