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National Art School announces dynamic program of art and music during NAIDOC Week

National Art School announces dynamic program of art and music during NAIDOC Week
June 20, 2025

The National Art School (NAS) has announced a dynamic program of public events for its major new exhibition, ‘The Neighbour at the Gate’, presented at NAS Galleries, opening during NAIDOC Week on 11th July and running until 18th October 2025.  

The vibrant program will take place over two days, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July, to celebrate the opening week of the exhibition, with artist talks, demonstrations, sound baths, family friendly drop-in workshops, DJs, food trucks and the Shared Skies music concert headlined by BARKAA, with opener Rainbow Chan and DJ Rocky Stallone.   

Led by Wardandi (Noongar) and Badimaya (Yamatji) woman and senior curator Clothilde Bullen OAM, and a Curatorium comprising Micheal Do and Whadjuk Balladong and Wilman (Noongar) woman Zali Morgan, the exhibition reckons with the echoes of immigration policies and the legacies of Colonialism in Australia, unravelling how these forces continue to shape First Nations and Asian Australian experiences and relationships.

Bringing together newly commissioned works by leading contemporary artists Jacky Cheng (Malaysian-Chinese heritage), Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson (Iranian-Australian heritage), Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay man Dennis Golding, Gulumerridjin (Larrakia) Wardaman and KarraJarri woman Jenna Mayilema Lee, James Nguyen (Vietnamese heritage), and Kaurna Miyurna, Māori (Te Arawa) and European  man James Tylor, The Neighbour at the Gate charts the entangled legacies of exclusion and resilience, drawing vital parallels between the past and present, memory and nationhood.

On Friday 11th July between 10am and 4pm, there will be a series of free talks with each of the exhibiting artists, as well as workshops and artist-led demonstrations. James Nguyen will teach visitors how to make ceramic incense holders that will be included as part of his participatory installation work presented in the exhibition. Jacky Cheng will lead tassel making workshops, inspired by her major installation.

On Saturday 12th July a family friendly day of free creative workshops and activities will lead into an early evening of music while enjoying light refreshments and food. From 11am until 3pm, visitors can experience a range of events and activities, including a panel discussion with exhibiting artists and curators, as well as drop-in workshops for ceramics, tassel making and screen printing with designs by Dennis Golding and Jason Phu onto tote bags to take home. Two free sound bath sessions will be led by Madina Yoga in the morning and afternoon, with bookings essential.  A reading and activity corner for children will be offered in the Gallery. From 5pm, visitors can enjoy free DJ sets by Rocky Stallone, Sveta and Mason Kimber.

At 8pm, ticket holders can enter the Cell Block Theatre for the Shared Skies music concert headlined by BARKAA with openers DJ Rocky Stallone and Rainbow Chan.
Tickets are now on sale here.

National Art School Director and Chief Executive Dr Kristen Sharp notes "The Neighbour at the Gate is an extraordinary artistic project exploring the connections between First Nations and Asian Australian peoples. We can’t wait to welcome audiences to the National Art School, and celebrate the opening weekend with this vibrant two-day program that invites the public to engage with the exhibition through artist talks, workshops, music and more-culminating in a not-to-be-missed concert with BARKAA and Rainbow Chan. It’s an opportunity for community, creativity, and conversation, right here at the heart of the National Art School.”

The Neighbour at the Gate is a commissioned exhibition project for the National Art School, proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Blockbusters Funding initiative. The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication, learning and education framework.  

For more information on the public program, visit nas.edu.au/the-neighbour-at-the-gate-opening-weekend/

Some events require bookings.  

EXHIBITION DETAILS

  • The Neighbour at the Gate
  • 11th July – 18th October 2025
  • NAS Gallery, National Art School, 156 Forbes St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

For more information visit nas.edu.au

Image. Shared Skies music concert headlined by BARKAA, with opener Rainbow Chan and DJ Rocky Stallone.Credit: NAS


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