Ritual and Ceremony

Ritual and Ceremony is an exhibition by renowned Koorie artist Maree Clarke that explores traditional ritual and ceremonial practices of her Victorian Aboriginal Ancestors. It looks at the power of art to heal, inspire and enable people to connect with their cultural heritage. Through the use of photographs, digital media and objects, Maree brings the Birrarung space alive with her rich colours, bush inspired installation and bold statements of cultural continuity and respect.

Date: 7 July to 30 October

Trepang: China & the Story of Macassan – Aboriginal Trade

This exhibition tells the story of the ancient trade in sea cucumbers (trepang). Trepang explores the long history of cultural exchange and trade between the Chinese, Macassan and northern Australian Aboriginal people. Combining historical artefacts, paintings, maps and photographs with new works to tell the story of the Aboriginal and Asian contact around the trepang (sea cucumber) trade from the early 18th Century to the early 20th Century. Trepang is founded on a 20-year friendship between classically-trained Chinese artist Zhou Xiaoping and highly respected Indigenous Australian artist John Bulunbulun. The exhibition features contemporary works including cross-cultural collaborations of traditional Chinese and Australian designs.

Proudly presented by Rio Tinto, the Gordon Darling Foundation, the Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, The University of Melbourne, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and Museum Victoria.

Date: 23 July to 16 October

Tutankhamun Tuesdays – Tutankhamun’s wardrobe

Join Dr Gillian Bowen in an exploration of Ancient Egyptian attire. The tomb of Tutankhamun has yielded the largest collection of clothes and footwear that we have from ancient Egypt. This talk will examine items of his wardrobe to show the range of clothes from underwear to formal attire and shoes, discuss the textile industry and range of materials used.
Presented by: Dr Gillian Bowen

Date and time: 6.30pm, Tuesday 26 July

Venue: Melbourne Museum   

Tickets: Adults $20, Concessions $15, MV Teachers $15, MV Members and the University of Melbourne Alumni and staff $10, MV Members concession and the University of Melbourne Alumni concessions and students $7.50.

Bookings: Tel: 13 11 02

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

The Tutankhamun exhibition comes to Australia for the first time. Revel in the splendour of Ancient Egypt as you view a dazzling array of possessions unearthed from the boy king’s tomb. See Tutankhamun’s golden canopic coffinette and the crown found on his head when the tomb was discovered. Learn about the extraordinary discovery of the tomb and the belief and burial processes of ancient Egypt. View results from the latest scientific testing conducted on Tutankhamun’s mummy and what it is telling researchers about his life and death. The exhibition has drawn over seven million visitors in the United States and London in the past five years.

Tickets now on sale. To guarantee a ticket, you must pre-book. Visit kingtutmelbourne.com.au to buy your tickets.

Cost: Adult $29.50–$35.00, Concession $26.50–$32.00, Child $17.50–$19.50. Additional transaction fees apply.

Date: until 6 November

Women with Clever Hands

Women with Clever Hands showcases Aboriginal fibre work by women artists from Gapuwiyak in northeast Arnhem Land. Featuring baskets, bags, mats, sculptural figures and jewellery, these beautiful works combine simple, functional shapes with intricate design, fine detail and subtle colour, all of which reflect the complexities of their land and their culture.

Date: until 28 August

Ancestral power and the aesthetic: Arnhem Land paintings and objects from the Donald Thomson Collection

Donald Thomson’s research was innovative for its time and the resulting collection remains dynamic and inspiring. Ancestral power and the aesthetic explores through the Thomson collection and research the complex understandings of place, history and experience in the art and culture of Arnhem Land.

Date: 11 November 2011 to 12 February 2012

Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton. Open daily 10.00am – 5.00pm. For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum