More than four decades of story and culture: Ray Thomas exhibition opens at Fed Square

A major new exhibition opening on May 30 at the Koorie Heritage Trust will celebrate the life, art and cultural legacy of acclaimed Gunai artist Ray Thomas, bringing together more than 40 years of paintings, sculptures, drawings and personal objects.

Running from May 30 to August 9, Ray Thomas: Yeerung’s Journey offers visitors a close look at the work of the Brabralung Gunai artist, whose practice has long explored memory, identity, Country and resilience through personal storytelling and community connection.

Presented at the Koorie Heritage Trust at Fed Square, the exhibition traces Thomas’s development not only as an artist, but also as a respected elder, mentor and cultural leader within Victoria’s Indigenous arts community.

Working across painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing and large-scale murals, Thomas has developed a distinctive visual language shaped by family history, lived experience and cultural knowledge. His work often reflects survival, healing and cultural continuity, while sharing stories connected to people, place and community.

The exhibition takes its title from Yeerung, the emu wren in Gunai lore carried as a totem by men. Within Gunai culture, Yeerung represents kinship, responsibility and connection to Country, themes that run strongly through Thomas’s practice.

Visitors will encounter works created across several decades, many shaped by moments of personal loss, resilience and reflection. Portraiture, storytelling and memory remain central, with many pieces capturing important people and experiences from his life.

Thomas first became interested in art as a teenager after reading the autobiography of renowned Arrernte artist Albert Namatjira. That experience inspired him to pursue artmaking and, although largely self-taught, he later developed a close friendship with celebrated artist Lin Onus, who introduced him to oil painting and encouraged him to use art as a way of sharing truth and cultural knowledge.

Over the years, Thomas has become known not only for his art, but also for his wider contributions to community and cultural development. Through organisations including Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and The Torch, he has supported cultural connection, mentoring and opportunities for emerging Indigenous artists across Victoria.

His works are now held in major collections around Australia, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, Museums Victoria and the Australian Football League Hall of Fame.

Rather than focusing only on individual works, Yeerung’s Journey offers a broader reflection on culture, memory and intergenerational knowledge. It highlights how storytelling and artistic practice can carry history forward while remaining deeply connected to community and Country.

Set in the heart of Fed Square, the exhibition is expected to be one of Melbourne’s major Indigenous cultural showcases this winter, offering visitors the chance to experience more than four decades of art, storytelling and cultural expression through the work of one of Victoria’s most respected Indigenous artists.

Ray Thomas: Yeerung’s Journey runs from May 30 to August 9, 2026, at the Koorie Heritage Trust, Birrarung Building, Fed Square. Entry is free and the exhibition is open daily from 10am to 5pm. •

Captions: 

1. Ray Thomas, Untitled (landscape), 2001, acrylic on board.
2. Ray Thomas, Krautungulling, 1987, acrylic on canvas.
3. Ray Thomas, My Painting Table, 2001, acrylic on canvas.

Collection of the Koorie Heritage Trust, Narrm.