Be transported to the other side of the world at THE LUME Indianapolis featuring Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians in this stunning exhibition that features 100 contemporary Indigenous Australian artists.
Through the interplay of art and music, Connection welcomes you to Country – the Indigenous Australian worldview that everything living is connected.
The themes of land, water and sky take us on a journey through Australia, where over 500 paintings, stories and photographs come together to create a singular experience celebrating the oldest continuous tradition of art-making in the world. Set to a score of Indigenous Australian music, Connection comes to life with a powerful soundtrack comprised of both legends and modern musicians.
| Public | |
| Adult | $29 |
| Senior 55 & Up | $25 |
| Youth 6-17 | $20 |
| Children 5 & Under | Free |
| Members | |
| Adult | $22 |
| Senior 55 & Up | $22 |
| Youth 6-17 | $15 |
| Children 5 & Under | Free |
| Access Pass | $5 |
Café Ngura, located midway through Connection, draws inspiration from the concept of Country. The word ngura, used in many Indigenous Australian languages, translates to "country" or "home." Executive Chef Patrick Russ and Certified Cicerone Lindsay Jo Whirley of Newfields have curated a creative menu that celebrates Indigenous Australian ingredients. Guests can enjoy a selection of bush spice-infused teas and coffee, freshly baked pastries, light meals and specialty drinks.
Take part in the art. With technology designed by Newfields’ own lab and illustrations by Konstantina (Kate Constantine), guests can add their own artistry to illustrations of platypus, kangaroo, or kookaburra that will come alive in a digital experience.
In the final gallery, you’ll find Indigenous Australian bark paintings from the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s permanent collection.
Dr. Henry Skerritt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Art and Curator of Research at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection at the University of Virginia provided curatorial aid for the selection and interpretation.
Konstantina (Kate Constantine) is a proud Gadigal woman of the Eora nation and a neo-contemporary Indigenous artist. She is re-imagining the traditions of her peoples’ dot painters and providing a modern narrative for all Australians to better understand First Nations People as part of the fabric of Australia. She is serving as an ambassador and cultural advisor throughout the exhibition.
Choose from a selection of books and exclusive merchandise from renowned Indigenous Australian artists, along with vibrant prints and artistic offerings in THE LUME Shop.
Take your journey to The Garden and The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park to continue to reflect on your connections with land, water, sky, art and community.
THE LUME Indianapolis is a multi-sensory experience with bright and contrasting lighting, changing sounds, strong smells and scents, large images, crowds, and various additional stimuli.
A small percentage of guests may experience health difficulties or even epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light patterns, noises or flashing lights. Exposure to certain noises, patterns, or backgrounds in THE LUME Indianapolis may induce a health event or even an epileptic seizure in these certain individuals. Certain conditions within THE LUME Indianapolis may induce health difficulties and previously undetected epileptic symptoms even in persons who have no history of prior seizures or epilepsy.
If you, or anyone you are purchasing tickets on behalf of, have serious health issues, have an epileptic condition, or any health condition you believe can be triggered by a sensory event please consult your physician prior to visiting this experience. If you experience any of the following symptoms while participating in THE LUME Indianapolis —dizziness, nausea, altered vision, eye or muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary movement, or convulsions—IMMEDIATELY exit the experience and request assistance from Newfields’ staff.
Image Credits:
Installation views of THE LUME Indianapolis featuring Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians in the IMA Galleries, May 9, 2025–February 2026. THE LUME Indianapolis and Connection are created by Grande Experiences. Artworks © the respective visual artists with any and all related Indigenous rights retained by the respective Indigenous Australians.
Detail of Earth’s Creation. Artwork © and all related Indigenous rights retained by Emily Kame Kngwarreye.
Detail of Garrigarang (Sea) from the series Ngura. Artwork © and all related Indigenous rights retained by Konstantina.
Detail of Growth from the series Raining. Artwork © and all related Indigenous rights retained by Konstantina.
Installation view of THE LUME Melbourne featuring Connection. Courtesy of Grande Experiences. Artworks © the respective visual and musical artists with any and all related Indigenous rights retained by the respective Indigenous Australians.
Detail of Yam Dreaming. Artwork © and all related Indigenous rights retained by Anna Pitjara.
Anila Quayyum Agha (Pakistani-American, b. 1965), This is NOT a Refuge, 2018, laser cut, powder coated, aluminum steel plate, 12 × 10 × 8 ft. with a 4 × 18 ft. wood bench inside. The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields, On loan from the artist. © Anila Quayyum Agha.
Exhibition Credits and Acknowledgements:
Connection was developed and supported by a curatorial advisory panel of experts and leaders in the arts, including producer, director and arts executive Rhoda Roberts AO, Indigenous photographic artist Wayne Quilliam, Aboriginal art specialist Adam Knight and National Museum lead Indigenous curator Margo Neale.
This experience honors the vital contribution that First Peoples artists make to Australia’s design, arts and cultural landscape.
