Curated By Steven Lindsay Ross
Featured artists
Annie Monks, Chenaya Bancroft-Davies, Dennis Golding, Graeme Walker, Jacqueline Jacky, Jasmine Sarin, Jay Kulbardi, Jedda Ruby Riley, Jeffrey Samuels, Jessica Johnson, Jessie Waratah, Joshua Taliani, Kirilly Dawn, Kyra Kum-Sing, Nioka Lowe, Nola Taylor, Peta-Joy Williams, Rubyrose Bancroft and Shaun Edwards.
The Boomalli Mardi Gras Exhibition for 2026, Bembul Bayumi opens on Friday 20th February 2026 and runs until 18th April 2026.
Bembul Bayumi is a Gadigal phrase meaning “Earth Song” and was gifted to us by Senior Gadigal Knowledge Holder Professor Nadeena Dixon.
This exhibition comes at a vital time for First Nations communities and for LGBTIQA+ communities across this Country and the world. To explore and celebrate song and all of the important roles it plays in the lives of Indigenous peoples is an opportunity to take stock and to re-engage with cultural first principles for our peoples lead by Traditional Owners.
Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative is a key First Nations arts and cultural institution that was established in 1987 and has run an annual Mardi Gras Exhibition for over 20 years. This exhibition has become a key event for the First Nations LGBTIQA+ community.
For the 2026 Exhibition, each artist has been invited to produce a work around the theme of song as a source of inspiration and connection to family and community. For First Nations peoples, Song is an intrinsic part of cultural life. Song lines map Country. Songs hold our narratives, our teachings, our movements, and our emotions. Song keeps us connected – to Country, to kin, to totems, to spirit, and to those who came before us. Song marks our transitions: sorrow, joy, ceremony, and celebration.
Senior Gadigal Knowledge Holder, Professor Nadeena Dixon explains:
“Connecting to Country and community through song honours our Ancestors and our places. Earth Song can be ceremonial – it strengthens and renews our relationship with Country and Ancestors every time we gather. We are energy beings, shifting the frequencies and realigning our spirit with Sacred Mother Earth through song and dance.”
A launch night will be held on Friday 20th February 2026 and will include First Nations entertainment.
RSVP here: https://events.humanitix.com/bembul-bayumi-earth-song-boomalli-s-annual-mardi-gras-show
The exhibition artwork was designed by Dennis Golding-Bowman.
Bembul Bayumi is dedicated to our sister and Boomalli supporter Gayle Caldwell who entered the Dreaming in 2025.