Navigating the intersections and collisions between art, culture, materiality and technologies, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art is delighted to present Between Waves, which continues the Yalingwa exhibition series developed to support the development and highlight the significance of First Nations contemporary art and curatorial practice of the Southeast within a national context.

Between Waves amplifies concepts related to light, time and vision – and the idea of shining a light on our times – expressed by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung word ‘Yalingwa’. The exhibition presents the work of ten artists and collectives who variously explore the visible and invisible energy fields set in motion by these ideas, to illuminate interconnected shapeshifting ecologies within, beyond and between what can be seen.

Established by Creative Victoria, in partnership with the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and the TarraWarra Museum of Art, the Yalingwa initiative has been designed to provide a platform for First Nations artists and curators to develop their work within the context of a leading public art gallery and museum, as well as offering a substantial Fellowship for an artist who has made a significant contribution to contemporary First Nations art and cultural practice.

Between Waves has been curated by Jessica Clark who joined ACCA’s staff in April 2022. It has been a great pleasure to work with Jess and to have her on the ACCA team, and to support her ambitious vision for the exhibition which has been undertaken with intelligence, deep thinking and care. I would like to equally extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the participating artists – Hayley Millar Baker, Maree Clarke, Dean Cross, Brad Darkson, Matthew Harris, James Howard, Jazz Money, Cassie Sullivan, this mob (Moorina Bonini, Maya Hodge, Jenna Lee, Jenna Rain Warwick and Kate ten Buuren) and Mandy Quadrio – and congratulate them for their inspiring, thought-provoking and moving work.

We are especially grateful to the Yalingwa Directions Circle who ensure that the program continues to be informed and led by First Peoples, and that their knowledge, philosophical thinking, cultural practices and protocols are embedded in this initiative. We are fortunate to be generously guided by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO (Chair), Kylie Belling, Belinda Briggs, Hetti Perkins, Hannah Presley and Stacie Piper, and we thank them sincerely for their inspiring leadership, advocacy and advice.

Alongside the curatorial essay by Jessica Clark, illuminating the complex intellectual, material and cultural intersections drawn upon within and between the artists in the exhibition, we extend our appreciation to catalogue essayist Tina Baum for her important contribution to the Between Waves publication, foregrounding the significance of Indigenous expressions and practices of the Southeast; alongside Natalie Harkin who provides a moving poetic response to the project.

We would like to especially acknowledge the generous commitment by our Presenting Partner Creative Victoria in the establishment of the Yalingwa Initiative, and the significant contributions of Kylie Belling, Sarah Bond and Rochelle Duke from the wonderful First Peoples team. Between Waves has been supported by Exhibition Donor Craig Semple, as well as Exhibition Partners Fed Square, The Ian Potter Foundation, Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, NETS Victoria, Dulux; and Media Partner 3RRR; to whom we are especially grateful, along with ACCA’s loyal and precious donors whose support amplifies the ambition and achievement of our programs. We equally acknowledge our valued Curatorial Symposium Partner Annamila; and Visions Australia as Touring Partner.

We extend our thanks to ACCA’s team who has supported the development and presentation of this exhibition and associated programs and events with professionalism and dedication. I would like to particularly acknowledge ACCA’s Exhibitions Manager Samantha Vawdrey, along with ACCA’s wonderful installation team, for bringing the exhibition to life with such dedication and finesse.

We are excited to present the exhibition to our audiences at ACCA, and beyond, and are delighted that it will embark on tour across the south-eastern states of our nation. We look forward to the lively conversations and cultural insights that the exhibition will inevitably produce, and we thank and congratulate all involved for their inspiring contributions and engagement.