beruk

Come explore and connect with an exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of William Barak.

To the colonial world he was William Barak, to his people he is Beruk. Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung artist and the last Ngurungaeta, activist, leader, trailblazer – Beruk remains a source of knowledge for Wurundjeri people through his works and he continues to influence generations worldwide.

The beruk exhibition, curated by descendants of Beruk, for the first time welcomes home two artworks, Corroborree (Women in Possum Skin Cloaks) and a Parrying Shield back to Wurundjeri Country and community where they belong.

Honouring Beruk's cultural legacy, this exhibition explores objects, paintings and portraits Beruk and other residents of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve created during the post-colonial era of the mission station.

About the gallery

This exhibition was created on behalf of Wurundjeri people and the community by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre and a Wurundjeri working group.

beruk is the first exhibition in the Library's newly established gallery dedicated to presenting Victoria’s Indigenous voices. Led by the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre, the gallery will host a changing program of exhibitions and events that celebrate the stories of Indigenous Victorians and provide meaningful experiences for visitors to connect with material held in the Victorian State Collection.

Exhibitions and programming will be presented by State Library Victoria through the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre with the support of the Hansen Little Foundation.

State Library Victoria acknowledges the generosity of Porter's Paints in supplying the custom colour for this gallery.