Dhumbadha Munga is an exhibition of artworks from previously incarcerated Indigenous artists and the contemporary Indigenous artists who mentor and support them. Meaning ‘talking knowledge’ in Boonwurrung language, Dhumbadha Munga explores the transformative power of art and cultural exchange between the former inmates and Arts Officers from The Torch, a not-for-profit organisation delivering the Indigenous Arts in Prison and Community program across Victoria. As it has done for generations, Indigenous culture continues to evolve through talking and sharing knowledge and the 26 artworks from 17 artists demonstrates the interconnectedness of Torch staff and artists exploring a two-way dialogue of artistic and cultural exchange.

For the first time Dhumbadha Munga will be hosted by Metro Gallery, whose commitment is to exhibit contemporary work from promising emerging artists. Their presentation of Dhumbadha Munga will enable The Torch artists to have their work exposed to the broader art world and gallery system.

All artists are enjoying a level of recognition including Ralph Rogers who had his first solo show at Deakin University earlier this year; Mutti Mutti man Jeffrey Jackson’s artwork has been circumnavigating Melbourne on the side of a Yarra Tram; Chris Austin (Gunditjmara Keerraaywoorrong), was recently featured in the documentary The Art of Incarceration that won the Best Australian Documentary at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival and Kent Morris, Bardkindji man and The Torch CEO, has been shortlisted for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Both Kent Morris and Sean Miller have artwork collected by the National Gallery of Victoria. Other artists exhibiting are Graham Gilbert (Wiradjuri), Renee Gray (Yorta Yorta), Blackgin (Wurundjeri), Marbukk, Paul McCann (Marrithiyel), Sean Miller (Kamilaroi), Veronica Mungaloon Hudson (Pitjantjatjara), Gary Reid (Pitjantjatjara/Yankuntjatjara), Ralph Rogers (Baranbinja), Garry Scott, Ash Thomas (Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri) and Robby Wirramanda (Wergaia/Wotjobaluk).