Saturday 4 July 2026
HOTA Ideas is a forum for leading artists, thinkers and cultural practitioners to share perspectives through public lectures and in-conversation style talks. Join us on the opening day of the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain for an in-conversation between Artistic Director Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples), artists Dylan Mooney (Yuwi people, Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait and South Sea Islander) and Warraba Weatherall (Kamilaroi people) with Curator, First Nations Art, National Gallery of Australia, Adam Ford (Nyoongar (Menang/Goreng)). The 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition supported by the Australian Government through Visions of Australia, and National Gallery First Nations Arts Partner Wesfarmers Arts.
Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples) is an established artist with a longstanding interest in the cultural misrepresentation of First Nations people. His ongoing artmaking spans various mediums and practices. Tony’s work has been included in two of the previous National Indigenous Art Triennials. For the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: _After the Rain_ Tony is the Artistic Director, working closely with each of the artists to realise this exhibition.
Adam Ford is a Nyoongar curator, writer, and researcher, who has developed extensive curatorial and cross-departmental experience (including in public programming, registration, and engagement) across university, state, and national institutions. He is Curator, First Nations Art, National Gallery of Australia, and was previously the Assistant Curator, Indigenous Australian Art, at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, as well as the 2021 Kinnane Endowment Fund Intern at the University of Queensland Art Museum. Previous engagements also include at Blaklash, Institute of Modern Art, and Griffith University Art Museum.
Dylan Mooney shares stories of resilience, connection and love in his highly colourful and decorated portraits of First Nations peoples. Legally blind, Mooney works primarily with digital technology, backlit screens enable him to create complex images that can be reproduced on paper, canvas or multi-story buildings. His images are informed by community stories, current affairs and share a deep optimism and pride. An early career artist, Mooney’s works are held in public collections and have been widely exhibited and illustrated, including on the cover of Rolling Stone Australia.
Warraba Weatherall is an artist, lecturer and cultural scholar. His research-led practice seeks to regenerate Kamilaroi knowledge systems and critique museum and archival practices. Weatherall’s sculptures and installations appear minimal yet open complex dialogues on surveillance, incarceration, power and control. Weatherall has exhibited across Australia and internationally, including a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art at Tallawoladah, Gadigal Country/Sydney in 2025. Along with Tony Albert, Weatherall is also a member of the Aboriginal arts collective, proppaNOW.
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HOTA Ideas: After the Rain - Tony Albert, Dylan Mooney and Warraba Weatherall with Adam Ford