Art as transformation: New exhibition showcases work by Dardi Munwurro healing and leadership program alumni
A powerful new exhibition, Stronger Families, Stronger Communities: Healing the Past for the Future, offers a unique insight into the role of art in personal change, healing and community connection.
Opening today at Birrarung Gallery in the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum, the grass-roots exhibition shines a light on the deeply personal, creative journeys of nine proud Naarm-based First Nations men.
Featuring a 28-metre-long mural, the exhibition reflects the healing, resilience and cultural pride of the artists who met while taking part in Dardi Munwurro’s healing and leadership programs. The artwork shares personal journeys – honouring spirit, community, and the strength found in reconnecting with culture.
Through painting and mixed media, these men share stories of identity, recovery, growth and hope as they continue working to break cycles of intergenerational trauma and build stronger families and communities.
The art pieces featured in the exhibition emerged from therapeutic workshops designed to give participants alternative tools for reflection and self-expression. Dardi Munwurro has delivered trauma-informed healing programs to First Nations men for over 25 years, supporting individuals to take responsibility for their actions and build respectful, safe relationships.
‘This exhibition is not just about art, it’s about courage,’ said Justice Nelson, Head of First Peoples Experience at Museums Victoria Research Institute. ‘Each work represents a step forward in the artist’s healing journey, and we are honoured to provide a space for these voices to be heard.’
Stronger Families, Stronger Communities challenges stereotypes, and encourages dialogue around men’s mental health, violence prevention and the redemptive power of creativity. The exhibition welcomes the broader community into a space of truth-telling, encouraging greater understanding of First Peoples’ experiences and self-determination.
For further information visit the Melbourne Museum website.
Stronger Families, Stronger Communities: Healing the Past for the Future
Open: Friday 20 June 2025 – 9 February 2026
Location: Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Tickets: Included with Melbourne Museum general entry.
Interviews available with:
- Justice Nelson, Head, First Peoples Experiences, Museums Victoria Research Institute
- David Roe, exhibiting artist and Dardi Munwurro program alumni
