Among the gums
Spend your Saturday among the gum trees.
Drop in anytime between 12pm – 4pm for a free, sensory afternoon of art, making and conversations celebrating Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the gum tree.
Explore custom eucalypt scents through a pop-up scent station, create your own pattern drawing on a real gum leaf to take home, and dive deeper into the themes of the exhibition with artist floor talks.
Bookings recommended, but not essential.
This is a free event, with open access to most activities. Capacity may be limited for floor talks.
Feeling hungry?
Our on-site café, Residence, is open 8am – 3pm daily.
Schedule
- 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Gum Leaf drawing with Taylah Eid
Primrose Potter Studio, Level 1 Indigenous textile designer and artist, Taylah Eid will guide you through pattern making techniques to design your own gum leaf. This is a drop-in art-making space, where you can spend time sharing in conversation and creativity.
- 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Pop-Up Scent Station with Erin Adams
Foyer Take a moment to explore the gum inspired scents of the exhibition in this pop-up display that allows you to sniff the custom blends created by Smell Art designer Erin Adams.
- 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Floor Talks with Nikki Browne and Erin Adams
Start: Level 2 Curator Sophie Gerhard will host two floor talks, commencing with artist Nikki Browne, followed by scent artist Erin Adams. These talks with require walking through the gallery, with folding stools available for those who require seating.
About the participants
Erin Adams | Olfactory Artist
Erin Adams is the founder of Smell Art, an organisation dedicated to innovative scent design, olfactory art, and smell education. Her work explores the conscious and subconscious power of smell to enhance experience and foster connection. For Ngarn Wa'ngal: Art of the gum tree, Erin developed a suite of scents, including single-species distillations and a custom scent of smoked eucalyptus leaves, diffused through the exhibition to bring the gum tree's presence into the gallery. Erin previously designed scent for Ingela Ihrman's botanical performances at the Potter Museum of Art, and her work on Recollection (fortyfivedownstairs) was a 2025 Art and Olfaction Awards finalist.
Nikki Browne | Artist
Nikki Browne is a Wurundjeri Country-based Bidjara artist. Her Mob is from Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland. Her work is inspired by their love of Country, environment, wildlife, and culture, and engages the viewer with spiritual stories that connect to environmental issues. Although sometimes political, Nikki’s artwork conveys a great passion for the protection of Country and culture.
Taylah Eid | Artist
Taylah Eid is a First Nations Koorie woman, who has a Bachelor of Arts in Textile Design and a Masters of Teaching. Taylah is a multiple-disciplinary artist with a special interest in traditional weaving, natural dyeing, watercolour, ink and drawing. Taylah's culture is naturally embedded in her artistry; it is something that comes naturally and with ease.
Sophie Gerhard | Curator
Sophie Gerhard is a curator and researcher based in Naarm and co-curator of Ngarn Wa'ngal. Her curatorial interests include conversations surrounding national identity and colonialism, in particular the emotion of shame and its role within Australian and First Nations art.
Event and access info
Seating is available within the exhibition.
Floor Talks will require walking through the gallery. A small number of folding stools are available for those who require seating.
Please visit our accessibility page for additional information about the Potter Museum of Art.
For further access requests or queries regarding this event contact mc-publicprograms@unimelb.edu.au.
Supporters
Supported by the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
