Opening Weekend Betty Muffler & Mehwish Iqbal

31 October & 1 November 2026

Join us to celebrate the opening of our new exhibition season, presenting two major exhibitions: Ngangkaṟi Ngura — Healing Country by senior Aṉangu artist and ngangkaṟi Betty Muffler, and Bait-al-Nahl — The House of Bees by Pakistani-born Australian artist Mehwish Iqbal.

Through Muffler’s expression of Country, memory and healing, and Iqbal’s exploration of migration and artisanal weaving, watercolour and ceramic traditions, the exhibitions invite audiences to consider notions of resilience and care at a time of significant global change.

OPENING WEEKEND PROGRAM

Free entry to the Art Museum all weekend

Saturday 31 October

10am–2pm | Drop-in Workshop: Circling inside, circling outside | Learning Centre
Explore shared systems of circulation amongst living creatures through drawing, gelli plate printing and collage. Sessions begin every 30 mins and are suitable for all ages.

11am | Smoking Ceremony | Bunya Pines
Presented by Marring

11.30am | Welcome to Country & Opening Address | Art Museum
Presented by Uncle Gerry Moore and Bundanon CEO Rachel Kent
Auslan interpreted

12pm | Live Music: Chikchika | Art Museum Forecourt
Chikchika features Haftu Reda and Anbessa Gebrehiwot, originally from the Tigray region of Ethiopia, with renowned Oromo singer Mulu Baqqalaa
Art Museum Forecourt

1pm | Panel Discussion: Healing Country | Art Museum
A conversation with First Nations artist Betty Muffler and representatives from Iwantja Arts
Auslan interpreted

2pm | In Conversation: Mehwish Iqbal | Art Museum
Artist Mehwish Iqbal shares the stories behind Bait-al-Nahl – The House of Bees in conversation with Bundanon CEO Rachel Kent
Auslan interpreted

2.45pm | Live Music: Chikchika | Forecourt
Chikchika return for their second set with songs about love, distance, separation and culture, accompanied by the traditional instruments of krar (5 string lyre) and masinko (single string violin)

3.30pm | Music: Washing Machine DJs | Forecourt
Enjoy music by the vinyl focused DJ collective and resident party starters behind the Washing Machine Disco Club

ALL DAY
10am–4pm | Art Museum open
10am–5.30pm | Ramox Café open

Sunday 1 November

10–11.30am | Workshop: Healing with Native Plants | Boyd Education Centre
Join Aunty Deidre Martin, respected Walbunja Elder of the Yuin nation for a workshop exploring the healing properties of native plants. Aunty Deidre has over 20 years of experience working as an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger and cultural mentor and is passionate about teaching and sharing her deep connection to her land and culture. Registration essential

11am | Live Music: Blue Divers | Art Museum Forecourt
Blue Divers is an Australian ambient and experimental instrumental group led by Alec Marshall (Sui Zhen, Hot Palms)

ALL DAY
10am–4pm | Art Museum open
10am–3pm | Ramox Café open

Summer 2026–2027 Supporting Exhibition Patrons: Helen Argiris, Richard Banks, Susan Bennett, Kemsley Brennan, Stephen Buzacott and Christine Jeffery