Arts West Gallery
Arts West Gallery aims to enrich the educational experience of our students and the broader community through meaningful exhibitions that showcase the value of the humanities, languages and social sciences.
Awakening objects and cultures
Awaken explores a collection of objects, animals and plants that emerged out of the relationship between anthropologist Donald Thomson and many Aboriginal people from three main source communities: the Pintupi in the Western Desert, and the diverse cultural regions of Arnhem Land and Cape York.
Awaken is curated by Worimi Nation film-maker, curator, storyteller and Head of First Peoples at the Melbourne Museum, Genevieve Grieves, with Rosemary Wrench and Shonae Hobson (Kaantju).
Awaken highlights the deep and abiding relationships that exist between communities of origin and objects held in museums. Objects are a rich source of knowledge and understanding, but they truly awaken when connected to their communities.
The University of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which the University stands, the elders of the Wurundjeri-wilam people of the Kulin Nation, past, present and future. The University seeks to follow in their traditions of welcoming others to this place and of treating the land and its peoples with respect. The University acknowledges these lands have been part of knowledge passed on to new generations for thousands of years, and it continues that tradition.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are advised that the Awaken exhibition may contain images and voices of people who have died.
Arts West Gallery is located on the ground floor of Arts West, in the heart of the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus.
Opening hours
Monday - Friday
10am - 4pm
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Arts West Gallery is closed on public and University holidays.
Admission
General admission is free.
Arts West Gallery occasionally hosts ticketed events and concerts.
Getting to the gallery
Public transport
Catch the 19 tram along Elizabeth Street/Royal Parade and alight at Stop 11 (Melbourne University/Royal Parade). Arts West Gallery is a short 2-minute walk from the tram stop.
Cycling
Free bicycle lock racks are available at the front of the Arts West Building and throughout the University's Parkville campus.
Parking
There are range of paid parking options available on campus. The closest covered University car park is on Royal Parade. For more information please visit the University's Public parking web page.
Accessibility
Arts West Gallery is a fully accessible space. If additional assistance is required, please contact us in advance.