Newcastle Art Gallery in Australia has opened "Multiverse," a major solo survey exhibition of Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson. The show, the gallery's first since reopening after a four-year refurbishment, spans Robinson's work across illustration, printmaking, sculpture, animation, and public art, including pieces like the 6-metre sculpture "Citizens Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef" and a new vinylcut print titled "Abracadabra" created during a residency at the University of Newcastle. Robinson, a Maluyligal and Wuthathi man, draws on Indigenous storytelling, cosmology, pop culture, and personal history, with his work also featured at Vivid Sydney and the National Maritime Museum.
The exhibition matters because it represents a landmark moment for both the artist and the institution, fulfilling a promise made five years ago when Robinson curated the Torres Strait Islander art show "WARWAR" at the same gallery. "Multiverse" highlights the growing recognition of Indigenous Australian art and knowledge systems, particularly in astronomy and cosmology, within major public galleries. It also underscores the importance of regional galleries like Newcastle Art Gallery in staging significant solo surveys that elevate diverse artistic voices and connect local communities with broader cultural narratives.