Artworks from Papua New Guinea have been ‘welcomed home’ following a successful exhibition in Australia.
The Invisible Line: Stories, Legends and Past Connections exhibition was first displayed at the Cairns Regional Council’s Mulgrave Gallery in September 2025 as part of the Australian High Commission’s Yumi Stap Wantaim celebration of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.
The collection of works were also recent finalists in the Inspire – Organisations category for Creative Australia’s Asia Pacific Arts Awards 2026.
The Invisible Line highlights the ancestral and continued connections between PNG and Australia through art and stories. These stories celebrate Australian First Nation and PNG cultures, as well as contemporary expression and PNG diaspora voices in Australia.
The multi-disciplinary artists from PNG who took part in the exhibition in Australia included Mr Leonard Tebegetu, Ms Gazellah Bruder, Mr Pax Jukapa, and Mr Morgan Lavapo. They joined Australian artists Mr Jimmy, Mr Charlie Street, Ms Wendy Mocke, and Ms Bernadette Killin. The exhibition was curated by renowned PNG artist Mr Lesley Wengembo and Ms Sally Brown from the Mulgrave Gallery.
Work from the four Papua New Guinean artists was showcased at the Australian High Commission on Wednesday 18 March during a special event attended by the diplomatic corps, the arts community and family members of the artists.
Quote attributed to Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Elizabeth Le Bas:
“The name ‘Invisible Line’ was chosen to reference the invisible line that separates PNG and Australia, and our close first nations connections, especially through the Torres Strait. The exhibition embodies how knowledge, wisdom and creative expression flow between cultures.”
Quote attributed to Gazellah Bruder, who says she was grateful to showcase her art:
“For me, my work is about reconnecting. My struggle in my life has been to find an identity, to find my place. My work is always constantly thinking about trying to reconnect with my culture and find a way to fit in”.
ENDS
Left to right, Morgan Lavapo, Pax Jakupa, Australian High Commissioner to PNG Mr Ewen McDonald, Gazellah Bruder, Minister Counsellor Elizabeth Le Bas and Leonard Tebegetu.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100