A major exhibition of Australian Indigenous art from the National Gallery of Victoria collection, featuring over 130 artists and works ranging from bark paintings to new-media pieces.
The Stars We Do Not See is at the Portland Art Museum from September 5, 2026, through January 3, 2027. It's a major exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, and for those of us on this side of the country, it's the only West Coast stop of the tour. It's also the largest show of Indigenous art from Australia ever presented in North America.
Everything here comes from the National Gallery of Victoria's collection in Melbourne, with more than 130 artists represented. A lot of them work collaboratively, and many of these pieces rarely leave Australia, so seeing them in Portland is a bit of a rarity. The exhibition charts watershed moments in Indigenous art from the late 19th century to the present, all rooted in what's the world's oldest continuous living culture. It's curated by Myles Russell-Cook.
The range is what really sticks with you. You'll find conceptual map paintings from the Central and Western Deserts alongside ochre bark paintings, and then it shifts into experimental weavings and new-media works in neon, video, and photography. It's not just one style or one era; it's a long arc that stretches from the 1800s right up to the present day.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Portland and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The show is organized by the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., with the Denver Art Museum, the Portland Art Museum, and the Peabody Essex Museum. You'll find it across Galleries 101, 110, 212, and 213 at the museum, 1219 SW Park Ave. The museum is open 10 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays, and tickets run from $0 to $27.50.
