Australian art exhibitions highlight emerging talent and Indigenous perspectives

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) has launched NEW26, an exhibition series featuring seven emerging artists following a decade-long hiatus. Curated by Dr. Shelley McSpedden and Sophie Prince, the biennial format showcases site-specific commissions that address social, political, and cultural themes, including identity and the impact of AI technology.

In Melbourne, Museums Victoria will host the Australian premiere of ‘On Country: Photography from Australia’ at the Immigration Museum starting October 16, 2026. Following its run at the Rencontres d’Arles festival in France, the exhibition features 17 Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists and collectives. The collection uses photography to explore the concept of ‘Country’—the connection to lands, waterways, and identity—while examining relationships between colonialism, community, and contemporary Australian culture.