Spirit of the Animals

Spirit of the Animals draws on the Koorie Heritage Trust’s extensive collection of artworks and cultural belongings to highlight the significance of animals in the cultural life of Victorian First Peoples, establishing connection to Place and Country, and strengthening clan and cultural identity. Mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, vertebrates, invertebrates, insects, and more, are depicted in the exhibition through paintings, animation, drawings, sculpture, tools and adornment.

The exhibition features over fifty artworks and cultural belongings by: Albert & Richard Mullett (Gunai/Gunai, Monero Ngarigo); Brook Andrew (Wiradjuri); Glenda Nicholls (Waddi Waddi, Yorta Yorta, Ngarrindjeri); Lin Onus (Yorta Yorta); Peter and Alex Mongta (Monero); Len Tregonning (Gunai/Kurnai); Peter Waples-Crowe (Ngarigo); Trevor Brown (Latji Latji), Tommy McRae (Kwatkwat); Vera Cooper (Yorta Yorta); Aunty Zeta Thomson (Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri), and more.