South Sudanese-Australian artist Atong Atem lands her first major solo show in Australia, a bold tribute to Dinka Bor myth, memory and identity.
South Sudan's story is hanging on the walls of one of Australia's most prestigious galleries. Melbourne-based artist Atong Atem, whose work honours the myths and traditions of Dinka Bor culture, is the subject of the first major Australian solo exhibition of her career at the National Gallery of Victoria.
The Art of Atong Atem opens on Friday and runs until 14 June at the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square. Entry is free, which means anyone in Melbourne can walk in and see a diaspora artist take her place in the national spotlight.
Atem's visual language is unmistakable. Her photography draws on the look and spirit of African studio portraiture, the kind of richly staged images that families have treasured for generations. She layers in personal and family archives, Catholic imagery and science fiction, building scenes that feel both intimate and otherworldly.
The result is work that speaks to belonging, displacement and pride at the same time. Colour, costume and composition carry the weight of heritage, while the futuristic touches suggest that African and diaspora stories are not just about the past but about what comes next.
For South Sudanese communities in Australia and across the diaspora, a show of this scale is a milestone. If you are in Melbourne before mid-June, this one deserves a spot on your list.
